1. Texas State University San Marcos
School of Family and Consumer Sciences
MS in Human Nutrition and Foods
NUTR 5305-Seminar in Nutrition and Disease – Cancer Fall 2014
Dr. Ramona Salcedo-Price
Cancer Treatment Project Biotherapy: Interleukin-2 Renal Cell Carcinoma
By: Lorena A. Saenz, Jenifer Tharani, Ana M. Hernández
Graduate Students MS in Human Nutrition and Foods
Date: November 5, 2014

2. Treatment: Biotherapy with IL-2
Biotherapy is based on the principle of stimulating the body's own immune response and/or using biological substances against a disease, in this case cancer.1
IL-2 is a glycoprotein produced by peripheral blood lymphocytes and is a potent growth factor for activated T-cells.2
It has been shown to participate in tumor destruction activity by inducing the growth of NK cells and LAK cells which have the ability to kill tumor cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.2
IL-2 is one the most potent inducer of antitumor activity in patients with advanced stage Renal Cell Carcinoma.3,4
Biotherapy is the 4th modality of cancer treatment and can be effective alone or in association with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Figure A– Shows how Proleukin (man-made IL-2) works to destroy tumor cells. 5

3. Diet Impact
Patients undergoing IL-2 treatment face malnutrition due to loss of appetite, constant feeling of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and inability to maintain a healthy body weight.1
Patients may develop mouth sores due to increased division of epithelial cells in oral mucosa.5 Proper adjustments in food texture may be needed.
Low blood pressure may arise due to failure of sodium and potassium homeostasis and anemia.
Studies have shown that IL-2 treatment may lead to changes in liver function.
Patients may also experience lowered vitamin D metabolism, which has an impact on calcium homeostasis.

4. 7

5. 5 6

6. References
1-Grant BL, Bloch AS, Hamilton KK, Thomson CA. Preparing for Cancer Treatment. In: Grant BL, Bloch AS, Hamilton KK, Thomson CA. Complete Guide to Nutrition for Cancer Survivors. Atlanta, Georgia. American Cancer Society Health Promotions;2010:154.
2-Mehta K, Ozpolat B, Gohil K, Aggarwal B.B. Recombinant proteins and genomics in cancer therapy. In: Principles of Cancer Biotherapy. London, NY: Springer Science and Business Media; 2009: 61.
3-Lewko W, Oldham RK. Cytokines. In: Oldham RK, Dillman RO. Principles of Cancer Biotherapy. London, NY: Springer Science and Business Media; 2009:
4-Oldham RK. Biological therapy of genitourinary cancer. In: Principles of Cancer Biotherapy. London, NY: Springer Science and Business Media; 2009:
5-Prometheus Therapeutics & Diagnostics. Side Effects of Proleukin Interleukin-2. Available at: Accessed November 3,2014
References for Patient Handout:
6- Grant BL, Bloch AS, Hamilton KK, Thomson CA. Coping with Changes in Eating and Digestion. In: Grant BL, Bloch AS, Hamilton KK, Thomson CA. Complete Guide to Nutrition for Cancer Survivors. Atlanta, Georgia. American Cancer Society Health Promotions;2010:
7- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Management of Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Cancer and Education Handouts.