title: Treatment of refractory colorectal carcinomas with fluorouracil, folinic acid, and interferon alfa-2a.
abstract: Interferon has been shown to augment the cytotoxic effects of fluorouracil (5-FU) against colon cancer in vitro and possibly in vivo. Therefore a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the effects of the combination 5-FU/FA/interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) in colorectal adenocarcinomas refractory to first-line therapy with 5-FU/FA. Eleven patients with rectum cancer and four patients with colon cancer were treated according to the following schedule: 9 million units IFN-alpha subcutaneous three times 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. Of 15 patients, one had a minor response, one had a disease stabilization, and three had a mixed response. No complete or partial remissions were seen. Looking at the sensitivity of lung metastases (three of three), the regressions can be explained through the additive effect of IFN-alpha to 5-FU/FA. Although minimal side effects (World Health Organization classification) were observed, most patients experienced a reduction of well-being.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
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
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knuth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil