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Recombinant alpha‐2b interferon in patients with malignant carcinoid tumour
Author(s) -
Basser R. L.,
Lieschke G.J.,
Sheridan W. P.,
Fox R. M.,
Green M. D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1991.tb01411.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chills , anorexia , toxicity , carcinoid syndrome , gastroenterology , weight loss , carcinoid tumour , alpha interferon , chemotherapy , urinary system , interferon alfa , surgery , interferon , immunology , obesity
Seventeen patients with malignant carcinoid tumour, ten of whom had the malignant carcinoid syndrome, were treated with recombinant alpha‐2b interferon by subcutaneous injection (3 MU per dose) three times per week for a median of 12 weeks (range 4–48). No objective tumour responses were observed; however, there was a greater than 50% reduction in 24‐hour urinary 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid (5‐HIAA) excretion in four often patients (40%) with elevated pretreat‐ment levels. Five often patients (50%) with flushing, five of seven patients (71%) with diarrhoea and both patients with wheezing experienced relief of symptoms. Three of four patients (75%) with weight loss as their only problem experienced weight gain. Responses occurred within the first eight weeks of treatment, but were generally of short duration. Toxicity occurred in all patients, and consisted mainly of fever, chills, anorexia, fatigue and weight loss. Four patients ceased therapy due to toxic reactions. Although interferon has activity against carcinoid tumours, its benefits are short‐lived and toxicity limits its use with increasing dose. Patients with carcinoid syndrome appear to achieve the best therapeutic response, and it is likely that low doses (9–20 million IU weekly) are as effective as higher doses (36–72 million IU weekly). (Aust NZ J Med 1991; 21: 875–878.)