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Management of cancer patients receiving interferon alfa‐2a
Author(s) -
Gauci L.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910390706
Subject(s) - medicine , tachyphylaxis , interferon alfa , dose , cancer , adverse effect , alpha interferon , chemotherapy , interferon , immunotherapy , gastroenterology , surgery , immunology
This is a review of the data on the safety and tolerance of interferon alfa‐2a in the treatment of cancer patients and is particularly aimed at patient care. Since 1981, interferon alfa‐2a prepared from human sources has been administered to over 2500 cancer patients and 2500 patients with viral diseases. Adverse effects have been invariably produced following parenteral injections of > 3 × 10 6 IU. These were mainly flu‐like symptoms (> 90%), fatigue (90%), gastrointestinal (85%), central nervous system (65%) and musculoskeletal (60%) disorders. Laboratory abnormalities, though common (> 75%) were rarely dose limiting. Their severity can be reduced by using dose schedules which promote tachyphylaxis, co‐medication with paracetamol and evening administration. Fatigue is best controlled by careful dose attenuation and occasional therapy rest periods. At dosages of 3 × 10 6 ‐18 × 10 6 IU/injection, interferon alfa‐2a therapy can be safely managed on an out‐patient basis, requiring minimal or no hospitalization. The frequency and low titre of antibody development to interferon alfa‐2a indicates that it is a weak antigen and is suitable for long‐term therapeutic application.