Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis after immunotherapy for cancer.

Parker, M G; Atkins, M B; Ucci, A A; Levey, A S · J Am Soc Nephrol · 1995

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Cytokines have been used in experimental and standard protocols for immune enhancement for cancer. The combination of interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha 2 beta has been used in experimental protocols for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A man who developed rapidly progressive renal failure after receiving this combination therapy is reported. A renal biopsy revealed a pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies were absent. The spectrum of renal disease and potentially related extrarenal manifestations associated with interleukin-2 and inteferon-alpha are reviewed. A pathogenesis of altered cell-mediated immunity, consistent with abnormalities in extrarenal organs after immune enhancement, is proposed.

Medical subject headings