The patient, a 5-year and 6-month old girl, who had a large neuroblastoma (stage III) originating from 1-lumbar sympathetic ganglion with the residual mass attached to the inferior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta, was treated with alpha-interferon (IFN), 1×10^6 IU×2/week, intramuscularly in combination with chemotherapy. A total of five courses of intensive chemotherapy [Adriamycin+Vincristine+Cyclophosphamide (CPM)] were given, and thereafter either CPM, intravenously, or CPM, orally, has been singly administered with IFN. During the 31 postoperative months, no metastasis or local recurrence of a primary tumor has been observed. IFN administration has been continued and the total dosage is now 2.73×10^8 IU. Adverse effects were not observed except for mild pyrexia which disappeared after the initial several months. She has shown normal physical and mental development. Our results showed that the patient of stage III neuroblastoma with a large mass and regional lymph node metastases can be expected to be responsive to IFN treatment and chemotherapy after removal of most of the primary tumor and intensive chemotherapies without acute and chronic serious adverse effects. We further discussed the general effectiveness of IFN on patients with neuroblastoma. This study indicates that the combination of IFN and chemotherapy is aafe and effective regimen.
