Recurrence of Pemphigus Vulgaris Associated With Interleukin 2 Therapy

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy with recombinant interleukin 2 may result in regression of metastatic cancer, particularly malignant melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a patient who received interleukin 2 immunotherapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. After his second course of treatment, he developed a recurrence of pemphigus vulgaris that had been in remission for 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin 2 therapy may be associated with recurrence of an autoimmune disease, perhaps because of its ability to stimulate autoantibody production.