Studies on the immunotherapy of human gliomas using autologous lymphokine-activated killer cells

The data presented demonstrate the ability of lymphocytes from brain tumor patients to kill autologous glioma cells, but not normal cells, in a highly efficient manner. In phase I trials, LAK and Il-2 are being injected intracerebrally following tumor debulking. Direct intracerebral injections offer the advantage of achieving close approximation between LAK and residual glioma. Furthermore, if injections are made into brain tissue grossly uninvolved with tumor, a relatively uncompromised blood-brain barrier may keep LAK localized to the injection site. The absence of toxicosis in preliminary cases suggests the potential for safe and therapeutic infusions of IL-2 and LAK in the treatment of glioma.