What is Aldesleukin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Aldesleukin is a powerful cancer treatment medication that helps your immune system fight certain types of cancer. This medicine is a laboratory-made version of a protein called interleukin-2, which your body naturally produces to help immune cells work better. It's given through an IV in the hospital under close medical supervision because it can cause significant side effects while helping your body battle cancer.

What is Aldesleukin?

Aldesleukin is a synthetic form of interleukin-2, a protein that naturally occurs in your body. Your immune system uses interleukin-2 to activate and multiply certain white blood cells that fight cancer. The medication essentially gives your immune system a powerful boost to help it recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

This treatment belongs to a class of medications called immunotherapies or biologics. Unlike chemotherapy that directly attacks cancer cells, aldesleukin works by strengthening your body's own defense system. It's considered a strong medication that requires hospitalization during treatment.

What is Aldesleukin Used For?

Aldesleukin is primarily used to treat two specific types of cancer: metastatic kidney cancer and metastatic melanoma. Metastatic means the cancer has spread from where it originally started to other parts of your body. These are serious conditions, but aldesleukin can help some people achieve significant improvement or even complete remission.

Your doctor might recommend aldesleukin when other treatments haven't worked or when your cancer has specific characteristics that make it likely to respond well. The medication is typically reserved for people who are strong enough to handle its intense side effects. Not everyone with these cancers will be a candidate for this treatment.

How Does Aldesleukin Work?

Aldesleukin works by mimicking and amplifying your body's natural immune response. When you receive this medication, it activates special immune cells called T-cells and natural killer cells. These cells then multiply rapidly and become much more aggressive at hunting down and destroying cancer cells throughout your body.

This is a strong medication that creates an intense immune reaction. Think of it like turning up the volume on your immune system's cancer-fighting abilities. The process can be challenging for your body, which is why you'll need to stay in the hospital during treatment so medical staff can monitor you closely and manage any side effects that develop.

How Should I Take Aldesleukin?

Aldesleukin is always given intravenously (through an IV) in a hospital setting. You cannot take this medication at home because it requires constant medical monitoring. The treatment is typically given in cycles, with each cycle lasting several days followed by a rest period to let your body recover.

During your treatment, you'll be connected to an IV that slowly delivers the medication into your bloodstream. The medical team will check your vital signs frequently and watch for any concerning symptoms. You won't need to worry about taking pills or remembering doses since the hospital staff handles all medication administration.

Before starting treatment, your medical team will likely recommend eating regular meals and staying well-hydrated. However, you don't need to take this medication with food since it goes directly into your bloodstream. The nursing staff will help you maintain proper nutrition during your hospital stay.

How Long Should I Take Aldesleukin For?

The length of aldesleukin treatment varies depending on how well you respond and how well you tolerate the medication. A typical treatment cycle involves receiving the medication for 5 days, followed by a 9-day rest period, then another 5 days of treatment. This completes one full cycle, and you may need multiple cycles.

Your doctor will evaluate your response after each cycle using scans and blood tests. Some people may need only one or two cycles, while others might benefit from additional treatment. The decision depends on how your cancer responds and how your body handles the medication's side effects.

Treatment duration also depends on your overall health and any complications that develop. If you experience severe side effects, your doctor might need to stop treatment early or modify the schedule. The goal is to give you the maximum benefit while keeping you as safe as possible.

What Are the Side Effects of Aldesleukin?

Aldesleukin can cause significant side effects because it creates such a strong immune response in your body. Most people experience some side effects, but the medical team is prepared to manage them. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about treatment.

The most common side effects you might experience include fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and changes in blood pressure. These symptoms often feel similar to having a severe flu. You might also notice swelling in your hands, feet, or face as your body retains fluid. These effects are usually temporary and improve after treatment ends.

Here are the side effects you're most likely to encounter during treatment:

• Fever and chills that can make you feel quite unwell
• Severe fatigue that makes it hard to do normal activities
• Nausea and vomiting that may require medication to control
• Diarrhea that can lead to dehydration if not managed
• Skin rash or redness that may itch or feel tender
• Swelling in your hands, feet, or face from fluid retention
• Changes in blood pressure that require monitoring
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

The medical team will give you medications to help manage these symptoms and make you more comfortable. They'll also monitor you closely to catch any problems early.

Some people may experience more serious side effects that require immediate medical attention...

These rare but serious complications can include heart problems, kidney issues, or severe drops in blood pressure:

• Heart rhythm changes or chest pain
• Kidney problems that affect urine production
• Severe confusion or changes in mental state
• Serious infections due to immune system changes
• Blood clots in legs or lungs
• Severe allergic reactions

While these serious side effects are concerning, remember that you'll be in the hospital throughout treatment. The medical team is specially trained to recognize and treat these complications quickly if they occur.

Who Should Not Take Aldesleukin?

Aldesleukin isn't suitable for everyone, even among people with the cancers it treats. Your doctor will carefully evaluate your overall health before recommending this treatment. Certain medical conditions can make aldesleukin too dangerous to use safely.

People with heart problems, lung disease, or kidney issues typically cannot receive aldesleukin. The medication puts significant stress on these organs, and existing problems could become life-threatening during treatment. Your doctor will run tests to check how well your heart, lungs, and kidneys are working before considering this treatment.

You should not receive aldesleukin if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart disease or a history of heart attacks
• Lung problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Kidney disease or reduced kidney function
• Liver problems or elevated liver enzymes
• Active infections or a severely weakened immune system
• Seizure disorders or brain metastases
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

Your doctor will also consider your age and overall fitness level. This treatment is quite demanding on your body, so you need to be strong enough to handle the side effects while fighting cancer.

Aldesleukin Brand Names

Aldesleukin is available under the brand name Proleukin in the United States. This is the most common name you'll see on hospital charts and medication labels. Some countries may have different brand names, but the active ingredient remains the same.

When discussing your treatment with healthcare providers, you might hear them refer to it as interleukin-2, IL-2, or simply "proleukin." All of these terms refer to the same medication. The generic name aldesleukin is what you'll typically see in medical literature and insurance documents.

Aldesleukin Alternatives

Several other treatment options exist for metastatic kidney cancer and melanoma. Your doctor might consider these alternatives if you're not a candidate for aldesleukin or if it doesn't work well for you. Each treatment has its own benefits and side effects.

For kidney cancer, alternatives include targeted therapies like sunitinib, pazopanib, or immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab. These medications work differently than aldesleukin but can still be effective against cancer. They may have fewer severe side effects but might not be as powerful in some cases.

For melanoma, other immunotherapy options include ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab. These medications help your immune system fight cancer but work through different mechanisms than aldesleukin. Some people may receive combinations of these treatments for better results.

Is Aldesleukin Better Than Interferon?

Aldesleukin and interferon are both immunotherapy medications, but they work in different ways and have different side effect profiles. Interferon was commonly used for kidney cancer and melanoma in the past, but newer treatments have largely replaced it. The choice between treatments depends on your specific situation and cancer type.

Aldesleukin tends to be more potent than interferon, meaning it can sometimes achieve better responses in people whose cancer responds to it. However, aldesleukin also typically causes more severe side effects and requires hospitalization. Interferon can be given as an outpatient treatment but may be less effective for advanced cancers.

Today, both aldesleukin and interferon are used less frequently than newer immunotherapy drugs like checkpoint inhibitors. Your oncologist will recommend the treatment most likely to help your specific cancer while considering your overall health and treatment goals.