[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-cancer-immunotherapies/) › Aldesleukin

# Aldesleukin

## Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)?

Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)

## High alert?

An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used.

Recombinant interleukin-2 given at high dose in hospital for metastatic kidney cancer and melanoma. Hallmark danger: capillary leak syndrome.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: recombinant interleukin-2, IL-2

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-cancer-immunotherapies/)

**Target**
Interleukin-2 receptor on T cells and NK cells

**Used for**
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma

**Key effects**
Fever · Nausea · Itchy rash

**Monitor**
Blood pressure · Oxygen saturation and breathing

**ATC**
L03AC01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**Interleukin-2 receptor on T cells and NK cells**Aldesleukin

ⓘ The crystal structure shows natural human IL-2 bound to its three receptor chains (α, β and common γ); aldesleukin is a slightly modified recombinant IL-2 that acts on the same receptor.

**Target in 3D:** Interleukin-2 receptor on T cells and NK cells. PDB structure 2B5I (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/2B5I) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Aldesleukin has the biological activities of natural IL-2. It binds the IL-2 receptor on T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, driving their proliferation, activation and cytotoxicity and the release of other cytokines, so the immune system attacks the tumour. A small group of patients obtain long-lasting responses.

- Recombinant IL-2 binds the IL-2 receptor
- T cells and NK cells multiply and are activated
- Activated cells attack the tumour
- Cytokine release causes capillary leak

## Indications

- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma in adults. [Renal cell carcinoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/renal-cell-carcinoma/)
- Metastatic melanoma in adults. [Melanoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/melanoma/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Fever, chills, malaise
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Itchy rash
- Fatigue, confusion
- Low platelets, abnormal liver tests

### Serious (rare, important)

- Capillary leak syndrome: hypotension, oedema, breathing difficulty, kidney failure, electrolyte problems (boxed warning)
- Low white cell counts and serious infections (boxed warning)
- Lethargy progressing to coma (boxed warning)
- Cardiac arrhythmias and chest pain
- Hypothyroidism

## Contraindications

- Abnormal heart, lung, kidney or liver function before starting
- Caution with organ transplant, seizures, autoimmune disease and prior serious gastrointestinal bleeding

## Key interactions

**Antihypertensives, including beta blockers**
Add to the low blood pressure of capillary leak.

**Corticosteroids**
Listed as interacting in the patient information; any use, including skin creams, is reviewed with the oncology team.

**Kidney- or liver-toxic drugs, sedatives and opioids**
Add to organ toxicity or to the central nervous system effects.

## What is monitored

- Blood pressure, pulse, weight, fluid balance and urine output closely during each cycle
- Oxygen saturation and breathing
- Level of consciousness
- Kidney and liver tests, electrolytes and blood counts
- Heart and lung function tests before treatment

## Administration and safety

- Given only in a hospital with intensive care support, under a physician experienced in cancer treatment.
- Intravenous infusion; reconstitution and dilution follow the product instructions exactly.
- Treatment cycles are held or stopped for severe toxicity rather than pushed through.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy is discussed with the team before treatment and reported at once if it occurs; breastfeeding is avoided during treatment.

## Nursing care

- Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and urine output frequently; report hypotension or oliguria at once.
- Weigh daily and check for oedema and breathing difficulty.
- Assess mental status each shift: report sleepiness or confusion.
- Teaching: report chest pain, shortness of breath, mood changes or severe drowsiness; most effects reverse after the drug is stopped.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Intravenous infusion in hospital, in cycles.

**Elimination**
Short half-life; cleared by the kidney as inactive metabolites.

## Memory aid

«IL-2 = Leak 2»: Interleukin-2 makes capillaries leak, so think «hypotension, oedema, oliguria».

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is aldesleukin?

Recombinant human interleukin-2.

## Which two metastatic cancers is aldesleukin approved for?

Renal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

## What is the main toxicity of high-dose aldesleukin?

Capillary leak syndrome.

## Why must high-dose IL-2 be given in a hospital with intensive care support?

Because capillary leak can cause severe hypotension, respiratory failure and kidney failure.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/aldesleukin/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**High alert**
An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used.

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Interferon alfa](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/interferon-alfa/)
- [Ipilimumab](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ipilimumab/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Renal cell carcinoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/renal-cell-carcinoma/)
- [Melanoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/melanoma/)

[← Back to the class: Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-cancer-immunotherapies/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Aldesleukin: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692009.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Aldesleukin - NCI](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/aldesleukin) (National Cancer Institute, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L03AC01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aldesleukin/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aldesleukin/