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Thirteen‐year, long‐term efficacy of interferon 2α and interleukin 2‐based home therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Atzpodien Jens,
Hoffmann Reinhard,
Franzke Marcus,
Stief Christian,
Wandert Thomas,
Reitz Martina
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.10783
Subject(s) - medicine , renal cell carcinoma , fluorouracil , regimen , gastroenterology , interferon alfa , alpha interferon , carcinoma , cancer , interferon , oncology , surgery , immunotherapy , immunology
BACKGROUND The goal of the current report was to demonstrate the long‐term efficacy of outpatient subcutaneous (sc) interferon α (IFN‐α) and sc interleukin 2 (IL‐2)‐based combination regimens in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. METHODS In three consecutive clinical trials, 443 patients received combined sc IFN‐α and sc IL‐2 ( n = 97 patients); combined sc IFN‐α, sc IL‐2, and intravenous (iv) 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) ( n = 260 patients); or combined sc IFN‐α, sc IL‐2, and iv 5‐FU with oral 13cis‐retinoic acid ( n = 86 patients). RESULTS The median overall survival was 21+ months. The 2‐year, 5‐year, and 13‐year survival rates were calculated at 45.26%, 15.96%, and 8.96%, respectively. The median time to disease progression was 6 months. The 2‐year, 5‐year, and 13‐year progression free survival rates were 17.84%, 9.54%, and 9.20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The current data suggest that combined outpatient sc IFN‐α and sc IL‐2, according to the Atzpodien regimen, achieves long‐term survival benefits in a subset of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, both with and without 13‐cis‐retinoic acid and/or 5‐fluorouracil. Cancer 2002;95:1045–50. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10783