Lack of antihypertensive effect of interleukin-2 administration in humans

A recent study reported that a single bolus dose of interleukin-2 (IL-2) decreased blood pressure to normal in adult hypertensive rats and prevented the development of spontaneous hypertension in young rats. The Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute has had extensive experience with the administration of IL-2. A review was performed focusing on the experience of IL-2 administration to cancer patients with established preexisting hypertension. Seventeen evaluable patients were identified. Sixteen of the patients experienced a return of their hypertension with the completion of therapy. One patient was able to stop his antihypertensive medications and remain normotensive for 3 months' follow-up. One normotensive patient developed hypertension after initiating IL-2 therapy. Our data do not demonstrate significant reduction in blood pressure in previously hypertensive patients undergoing high-dose IL-2 therapy.