title: Combination fluorouracil, folinic acid, and interferon alfa-2a: an active regimen in advanced pancreatic carcinoma.
abstract: Based on promising results with 5-FU/FA or 5-FU/IFN-alpha in colorectal cancer, a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the effects of the combination 5-FU/FA/interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients received 9 million units (MU) IFN-alpha subcutaneously three times a week or 6 MU IFN-alpha once a week; 500 mg/m2 5-FU via an intravenous bolus 1 hour after the initiation of a 2-hour infusion of 500 mg/m2 of FA, once a week. Fourteen patients, all previously untreated with chemotherapy, were enrolled; 13 (two females/11 males) were evaluable for response and toxicity (one too early). The median performance status was 80% (range, 60 to 100) and the median age 62 years. Besides the inoperable primary tumor, metastatic sites were liver, lung, and peritoneum. Three of 13 patients had a partial remission, three of 13 patients a minor response, and four of 13 patients no change. Three patients had progressive disease. Until now, no complete remission was seen. Median duration of response was 4+ months; median survival has not been reached yet. Of all patients there were three instances of World Health Organization grade 3 toxicity: fatigue (one of 13), nausea (one of 13), and diarrhea (one of 13); grade 4 toxicity did not occur. Although overall toxicity was moderate, most patients experienced a reduction of well-being. Therefore in all patients the dose of IFN was reduced (from 3 x 9 MU/week to 1 x 6 MU/week). Our preliminary data suggest that biochemical modulation of 5-FU with FA and IFN-alpha (reduced dosage) is effective in pancreatic cancer with moderate toxicity, warranting further study.
authors.affiliation: I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knuth
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bernhard
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Meyer zum Büschenfelde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil