Immunotherapy in metastatic renal cell cancer. The Lyon’s experience on 100 patients

It is now accepted that cytokine therapy i.e. Interferon α (IFNα) and Interleukin 2 (IL2) are active in metastatic kidney cancer [1, 2, 3]. Significant questions remain, however, about the optimal application of these therapies as well as their real impact in this disease. Since october 1987, we have developed in Lyon an important evaluated immunotherapy program and more than 100 patients with metastatic renal cell cancer have been included in different successive protocols. Between october 1987 until august 1990, 135 patients were referred to our institution. Thirty-five (26 %) were excluded according to the protocol criteria and 100 were eligible. Three different groups of patients have to be considered.