1983 Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 208-216
Human fibroblast interferon (HulFN-β) was administered by the intramuscular (total dose, 4671×104 international reference units, IU), intravenous (total dose, 2866×104IU), and intraarterial (total dose, 250×104 IU) routes in a 62-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma for 3 months. On admission, the mass of hepatocellular carcinoma was already recognized at all parts of the right lobe and a part of the left lobe and marked elevation of α-Fetoprotein level. The α-Fetoprotein level was decreased by the direct intrahepatic injection of HuIFN-β by the intraarterial route, but the size of the tumor wasgradually increased. No remarkable change was recognized by the intramuscular or intravenous ad-ministration. Only fever and the following subjective and objective symptoms were recognized as the side-effects of HulNF-β administration. Multinucleated giant cell transformation and a lack of a tendency to necrosis of the cancer cells were histopathologically recognized at the autopsy. These findings were, however, seen in some cases of hepatocellular carcinoma without the administration of HuIFN-β. Accordingly, we cannot but say that the therapeutic effect of HulFN-β on hepatocellular carcinoma are obscure in at least the present case.
