title: Octreotide and interferon alfa: a new combination for the treatment of malignant carcinoid tumours.
abstract: 24 patients with malignant carcinoid tumours received octreotide and interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). All the patients initially received octreotide 50-100 micrograms, twice daily. When progressive symptoms or increasing biochemical markers were observed, the daily dose was raised to a median 300 micrograms. If the initial dose proved ineffective or if no improvement was seen after escalation, IFN-alpha was added (median 9 MU subcutaneously per week). After the addition of IFN-alpha, 17 of the 22 patients (77%) with elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid showed a significant (> 50%) reduction. Only 1 patient progressed and 4 had continuously stable biochemical disease. No significant reduction in tumour size was noted; in 5 patients, the tumour continued to grow despite decreasing hormone levels. 18 patients had carcinoid syndrome when IFN-alpha was added in 10 (56%) symptoms ameliorated. Thus, the addition of IFN-alpha is beneficial for patients with malignant carcinoid tumours that progress and/or who do not respond to octreotide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tiensuu Janson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahlström
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Oberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D015282:Octreotide