Immunologic enhancement with intermittent interleukin-2 therapy

A method for administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to increase immune function in a human subject, comprising:

• (a) administering an amount of IL-2 to a human subject in a first administration in an amount that is sufficient to increase the CD4 count in the subject as compared with the count prior to IL-2 administration, wherein the administration of IL-2 is continuous over a period of time that is sufficient to allow spontaneous DNA synthesis in peripheral blood or lymph node cells of the subject to increase and peak;
• (b) measuring the DNA synthesis in cells obtained from the subject during the administration period, wherein a time period of an increase or peak in DNA synthesis is indicative of an optimal duration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration;
• (c) administering a subsequent amount of IL-2 to the subject that is sufficient to increase the CD4 count in the subject as compared to the count prior to IL-2 administration, wherein the subsequent administration of IL-2 is continuous over a period of time that is sufficient to allow spontaneous DNA synthesis in peripheral blood or lymph node cells of the subject to increase and peak, and wherein the subsequent administration of IL-2 follows the first administration of IL-2 by a period of time that is sufficient to allow IL-2 receptor expression in peripheral blood or lymph node cells of the subject to increase as compared to the level of expression prior to IL-2 administration, peak then decrease to 50% of peak value;
• and
• (d) measuring the DNA synthesis in cells obtained from the subject during the subsequent administration, wherein a time period of an increase or peak in DNA synthesis is indicative of an optimal duration of IL-2 administration;
• and
• (e) discontinuing administration of the subsequent amount of L2 administration at about the time of peak in DNA synthesis.