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Interleukin‐2, interferon‐α, 5‐fluorouracil, and vinblastine in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Gez Eliahu,
Rubinov Raphael,
Gaitini Diana,
Meretyk Shimon,
Best LaelAnson,
Native Ofer,
Stein Avi,
Erlich Nahum,
Beny Alexander,
Zidan Jamal,
Haim Nissim,
Kuten Abraham
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.10842
Subject(s) - medicine , vinblastine , surgery , renal cell carcinoma , gastroenterology , alpha interferon , interferon alfa , nephrectomy , fluorouracil , progressive disease , bolus (digestion) , kidney disease , chemotherapy , kidney , urology , interferon , immunology
BACKGROUND The current study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), interferon‐α (IFN‐α), 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), and vinblastine (VBL) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC). METHODS Sixty‐two MRCC patients, median age 63 years, received immunochemotherapy. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 1 for 45 patients and 2 for 17 patients. Fifty‐four patients underwent nephrectomy prior to treatment. Sites of disease were lungs, lymph nodes, bone, kidney, and liver. Treatment consisted of IL‐2 10 MIU/m 2 subcutaneous (SC), three times per week, Weeks 1‐4; IFN‐α 6 MIU/m 2 SC, once per week, Weeks 1‐4 and 9 MIU/m 2 , three times per week, Weeks 5‐7; 5‐FU 600 mg/m 2 and VBL 6 mg/m 2 , intravenous bolus, Day 1 of Weeks 5 and 7. RESULTS In a median followup of 34 months, 62 patients were evaluated for tumor response. Four patients achieved complete response for 26+, 34+, 51+, and 56+ months, respectively; 14 patients achieved partial response for a median of 14 months; and 20 patients achieved stable disease for a median of 9 months. Seven patients (5 partial response, 2 stable disease) underwent complete resection of residual tumor. Five patients remained alive with no evidence of disease for 27, 32, 36, 42, and 48 months, respectively. Nine patients achieved long‐term complete response for a median of 36 months. Three‐year survival rate for the entire group and for 11 complete responders was 88%. Common side effects were flu‐like symptoms, nausea, headache, and depression. Four patients were excluded because of treatment intolerance, and one patient died after nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS Immunochemotherapy is effective and well‐tolerated by patients with MRCC. Surgical intervention for resection of residual disease is justified. Cancer 2002;95:1644–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10842