Interleukin 2 therapy in infectious diseases: rationale and prospects

Virus infections in childhood malignant disease

The viruses isolated during infective episodes over a 5-year period of 93 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 107 children with other malignancies have been studied. Viruses were identified by the fluorescent antibody technique (FAT), electron microscopy, and culture. Viruses were isolated on 204 occasions. Rhinovirus and RSV occurred significantly more often in the patients with ALL, and adenovirus more commonly in the solid tumor patients. Viruses were responsible for 4 of the 69 deaths. Multiple different virus isolation during the same infective episode was significantly more common than in a control group. Where paired sera were available, only 10 out of 27 children showed at least a fourfold rise to the isolated virus. A rise in complement-fixing antibody is confirmed as a very unreliable method of detecting virus infection in immunosuppressed children. Viruses are important pathogens in children with cancer and assume greater relevance now that over 60% of malignant disease in childhood can be cured.

Biological response modifiers in the management of viral infection

The rapid evolution of immunopharmacology as a recognized scientific discipline dedicated to unraveling complex interrelationships between immunologic responsiveness and disease states in general supports the importance of the potential role biological response modifiers have in clinical medicine. To administer a drug, or combination of drugs, that safely, effectively, and favorably alter the course of infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, and allergy is within grasp. Although the greatest emphasis on therapeutic application of BRMs is placed on cancer, many of these immunomodulating agents have well-documented effects on the course of infectious disease. By either restoring immune responses or by enhancing the response of a normal immune system, it is conceivable that BRM therapy will someday be used routinely as adjunct therapy in the management of viral infections in companion animals.