Aldesleukin 18million unit powder for solution for injection vials
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Aldesleukin, a lymphokine, is produced by recombinant DNA technology using a genetically engineered E.
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Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Proleukin 18million unit powder for solution for injection vials
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
200 microgram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
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Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
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NHS UK identifiers
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 12 · Randomised trials: 7 · 1995–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
Akkur MA, Areeshi NA, Haqawi IY, et al.
2025
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation, including impaired regulatory T cell (Treg) function. Low-dose interleukin-2 (Ld-IL-2) therapy has emerged as a promising approach to selectively expand Tregs and restore immune tolerance in SLE. This systematic review evaluates current evidence on the efficacy and safety of Ld-IL-2 therapy in patients with SLE. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and the Virtual Health Library for studies published up to April 10, 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and open-label trials that investigated Ld-IL-2 therapy in adult patients with SLE. Data were extracted on study design, patient demographics, intervention details, clinical and immunologic outcomes, adverse events, and predictive biomarkers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing a total of 517 patients with active SLE. All studies reported significant expansion of Treg populations following Ld-IL-2 treatment. Clinical outcomes consistently showed reductions in disease activity scores, such as SLEDAI and BILAG, with SRI-4 response rates ranging from 43% to 65.5%. Ld-IL-2 therapy was well tolerated, with adverse events primarily limited to mild injection-site reactions and flu-like symptoms. No serious treatment-related infections or concerns about immunogenicity were observed. Several studies identified baseline biomarkers, including low complement C3 levels, elevated PD-1^hi^ Tregs, and reduced CD4+ T cell counts, as predictors of treatment response. Ld-IL-2 therapy appears to be a safe and effective immunomodulatory treatment for patients with SLE, capable of enhancing Treg function and reducing disease activity. While current evidence is encouraging, larger multicenter randomized trials are warranted to establish standardized treatment protocols and validate predictive biomarkers for optimized patient selection.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Horcicka A, Bewersdorf N, Kalkum E, et al.
2026
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasms
- Interleukin-2
- Immunomodulation
BackgroundPatients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery are often immunocompromised and susceptible to infectious complications. Recombinant Interleukin 2 activates effector immune cells and stimulates the expansion of regulatory T-cells, making it a promising intervention for prevention of inflammatory complications.ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate effects of different preoperative rIL2 dosages on postoperative outcome parameters.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis and included RCTs that recruited adult patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery who received preoperative subcutaneous rIL2. We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from 1989 up to April 18th, 2024.ResultsOut of 2324 screened studies, we included 13 RCTs with a total of 504 patients. Lymphocyte counts [cells/mm3] at 1 week postoperative were higher in the intervention compared to the control group (MD 865 (95%CI: 26, 1705)). Surgical site infections and systemic infections were less likely to occur in the intervention group (OR 0.13 (95%CI: 0.03, 0.50); OR 0.25 (95%CI: 0.10, 0.66)). Severe side effects of rIL2 were not reported.ConclusionPreoperative rIL2-based immunomodulation prevents postoperative immunosuppression while the occurrence of severe side effects does not seem to be relevant.
Abstract licence: CC BY
T. Zhao, M. Kostapanos, C. Griffiths, et al.
BMJ Open, 2018
M. Atkins, M. Lotze, J. Dutcher, et al.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1999
J. Dutcher, D. Schwartzentruber, H. Kaufman, et al.
Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, 2014
S. Poletti, R. Zanardi, Alessandra Mandelli, et al.
Brain, behavior, and immunity, 2023
- Bipolar Disorder
- Antidepressive Agents
- Interleukin-2
W. Camu, M. Mickunas, M. Mickunas, et al.
EBioMedicine, 2020
C. Klein, I. Waldhauer, V. Nicolini, et al.
Oncoimmunology, 2017
2025
Sriranjan R, Zhao TX, Tarkin J, et al.
2022
- Myocardial Ischemia
- Myocardial Infarction
- Atherosclerosis
IntroductionInflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Studies in preclinical models have demonstrated that an increase in regulatory T cells (Tregs), which have a potent immune modulatory action, led to a regression of atherosclerosis. The Low-dose InterLeukin 2 (IL-2) in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes (LILACS) study, established the safety of low-dose IL-2 and its biological efficacy in IHD. The IVORY trial is designed to assess the effects of low-dose IL-2 on vascular inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).Methods and analysisIn this study, we hypothesise that low-dose IL-2 will reduce vascular inflammation in patients presenting with ACS. This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial. Patients will be recruited across two centres, a district general hospital and a tertiary cardiac centre in Cambridge, UK. Sixty patients with ACS (unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or ST elevation myocardial infarction) with high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels >2 mg/L will be randomised to receive either 1.5×106 IU of low-dose IL-2 or placebo (1:1). Dosing will commence within 14 days of admission. Dosing will comprise of an induction and a maintenance phase. 2-Deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) scans will be performed before and after dosing. The primary endpoint is the change in mean maximum target to background ratios (TBRmax) in the index vessel between baseline and follow-up scans. Changes in circulating T-cell subsets will be measured as secondary endpoints of the study. The safety and tolerability of extended dosing with low-dose IL-2 in patients with ACS will be evaluated throughout the study.Ethics and disseminationThe Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales, UK (19/YH/0171), approved the study. Written informed consent is required to participate in the trial. The results will be reported through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.Trial registration numberNCT04241601.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
9 found
Half-life
13 min
Mechanism
Aldesleukin binds to the IL-2 receptor which leads to heterodimerization of the…
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
4 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Half-life
13 min
Volume of distribution
0.18 l/kg
Elimination
80%
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Known interactions with other medicines. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 1514 interactions
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:6438535
Binds to a receptor complex composed of either the high-affinity trimeric IL-2R (IL2RA/CD25, IL2RB/CD122 and IL2RG/CD132) or the low-affinity dimeric IL-2R (IL2RB and IL2RG) .
PMID:16293754 PMID:16477002
Interaction with the receptor leads to oligomerization and conformation changes in the IL-2R subunits resulting in downstream signaling starting with phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK3 .
PMID:7973659
In turn, JAK1 and JAK3 phosphorylate the receptor to form a docking site leading to the phosphorylation of several substrates including STAT5 .
PMID:8580378
This process leads to activation of several pathways including STAT, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/PI3K and mitogen-activated protein kinase/MAPK pathways .
PMID:25142963
Functions as a T-cell growth factor and can increase NK-cell cytolytic activity as well .
PMID:6608729
Promotes strong proliferation of activated B-cells and subsequently immunoglobulin production .
PMID:6438535
Plays a pivotal role in regulating the adaptive immune system by controlling the survival and proliferation of regulatory T-cells, which are required for the maintenance of immune tolerance. Moreover, participates in the differentiation and homeostasis of effector T-cell subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th17 as well as memory CD8-positive T-cells
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
ATC L03AC01
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Aldesleukin
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
278
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:6009
GenAtlas
IL2RB
GeneCards
IL2RB
GenBank Gene Database
M26062
GenBank Protein Database
307048
Guide to Pharmacology
1696
UniProt Accession
IL2RB_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:6008
GenAtlas
IL2RA
GeneCards
IL2RA
GenBank Gene Database
X01057
GenBank Protein Database
33813
Guide to Pharmacology
1695
UniProt Accession
IL2RA_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:6010
GenAtlas
IL2RG
GeneCards
IL2RG
GenBank Gene Database
D11086
GenBank Protein Database
219890
Guide to Pharmacology
2303
UniProt Accession
IL2RG_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:6001
GenAtlas
IL2
GeneCards
IL2
GenBank Gene Database
J00264
GenBank Protein Database
5729676
UniProt Accession
IL2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:9605
GenAtlas
PTGS2
GeneCards
PTGS2
GenBank Gene Database
L15326
GenBank Protein Database
291988
Guide to Pharmacology
1376
UniProt Accession
PGH2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:9035
GenAtlas
PLA2G4A
GeneCards
PLA2G4A
GenBank Gene Database
M72393
GenBank Protein Database
190007
Guide to Pharmacology
1424
UniProt Accession
PA24A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2637
GenAtlas
CYP3A4
GeneCards
CYP3A4
GenBank Gene Database
M18907
Guide to Pharmacology
1337
UniProt Accession
CP3A4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:12805
GenAtlas
XDH
GeneCards
XDH
GenBank Gene Database
D11456
GenBank Protein Database
10336525
Guide to Pharmacology
2646
UniProt Accession
XDH_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2631
GeneCards
CYP2E1
GenBank Gene Database
J02625
GenBank Protein Database
181360
Guide to Pharmacology
1330
UniProt Accession
CP2E1_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite:
- DrugBank 6.02024Recommended citationKnox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et alDrugBank 6.0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275
- DrugBank 5.02018Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank 5.0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082
- DrugBank 4.02014Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et alDrugBank 4.0: shedding new light on drug metabolismNucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7
- DrugBank 3.02011Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et alDrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugsNucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41
- DrugBank 2.02008Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.Nucleic Acids Research2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6
- DrugBank 1.02006Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.Nucleic Acids Research2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72