What is IL-2?

Verlonna is receiving a treatment that is still in the trial stages. This treatment is abbreviated as IL-2. Immunotherapy uses substances similar to the ones that the body's immune system produces to destroy cancer cells. When you have an infection, your immune system releases many specialized proteins called cytokines. They help fight the infection. Some of these cytokines can also help fight cancer cells. Normally the body produces very small amounts of these cytokines. But it is possible to make large quantities of cancer-fighting cytokines in a laboratory.

IL-2 is not without serious side effects. Some important things to remember about the side effects of IL-2:

•Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed.
•Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration and severity.
•Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
•There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
•There is no relationship between the presence or severity of side effects and the effectiveness of the medication
•IL-2's side effects and their severity depend on how much of the drug is given. In other words, high doses may produce more severe side effects. In some cases, this could necessitate hospitalization and/or intensive care unit support.