aldesleukin + escitalopram

This combination therapy involves the co-administration of **aldesleukin** (a recombinant interleukin-2 analog) and **escitalopram** (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Aldesleukin is a potent cytokine immunotherapy used primarily for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma; it works by promoting the proliferation and activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. However, high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy is frequently associated with severe neuropsychiatric side effects, most notably treatment-induced depression. Escitalopram is utilized in this context as a prophylactic agent to prevent or mitigate these neurobehavioral symptoms. A Phase 4 clinical trial conducted at **Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute** investigated whether pretreatment with escitalopram could improve the tolerability of high-dose IL-2 regimens by reducing the incidence and severity of depressive symptoms in patients with Stage IV melanoma.

Brand names

Proleukin + Lexapro

Other names

IL-2 + escitalopraminterleukin-2 + escitalopram