This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Aldesleukin a biological therapy (sometimes known as immunotherapy), in which substances that occur naturally in the body are manufactured and used to combat cancers by stimulating the body’s own immune system. It is a colourless fluid usually given as an injection on an outpatient basis. Aldesleukin used to be known as interleukin-2 or IL2. It is largely used for renal cell carcinoma. Side effects can be severe, but it is the only treatment ever documented to ’cure’ RCC, says Dr Hembry.
Side effects can include: flu-like symptoms, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, skin changes. Heart and kidney function can be affected, depending on the dose given but this will be monitored throughout the treatment.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list