CHEMOTHERAPY OF RENAL CELL CARCINOMA
4. Interferon
1984 Volume 75 Issue 6 Pages 909-916
Details
1984 Volume 75 Issue 6 Pages 909-916
The present study (the fourth report) was undertaken to assess the efficacy of human lymphoblastoid interferon (α) (HLBI) on advanced renal cell carcinoma.
1) HLBI was administered i. m. at a dose of 6×106 units/day to 19 patients. We assessed the efficacy in the 14 patients who had received HLBI for more than 60 days. Two patients (14%) showed partial responses; 3 patients (21%) minor responses, 4 patients (29%) no change and 5 patients (36%) progressive disease. We concluded that interferon was worthy of use in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma as a initial choice.
2) The evaluation of tumor response in renal cell carcinoma was performed in patients to whom HLBI were administered for more than 60 days because tumor responses were usually observed within 20 to 60 days of treatment.
3) Tumor responses were observed more frequently in patients with low grade carcinoma (4/7) than in high grade (1/7).
4) The severest side effects were general fatigue (asthenia) and anorexia, which were often the main cause of discontinuation of the drug.
