title: Interferon combined with irradiation in the treatment of operable head and neck carcinoma. A pilot study.
abstract: Twenty-two patients with operable head and neck cancer were randomized to receive natural leukocyte alpha interferon (IFN) and radiotherapy, or radiotherapy alone (control) before operation. IFN was administered at 6 MU i.m. daily for 4 weeks and thereafter 3 times per week for 2 months. IFN treatment was introduced simultaneously with radiotherapy (2 Gy daily, 5 fractions per week). The preoperative dose was 30-32 Gy. Tumor response and side-effects were registered. The patients underwent radical surgery 3 weeks after the preoperative irradiation, followed by postoperative irradiation with 22-32 Gy. After preoperative treatment there were one complete response and 4 partial responses among 10 patients receiving IFN and 2 partial responses among 12 patients treated with irradiation alone. No difference in survival was demonstrated between the 2 groups. In the histologic examination of the surgical samples malignant cells were found in 6 of the IFN patients and in 8 of the control patients. The IFN patients had considerably more pronounced mucosal radiation reactions than the controls. The accrual of patients to the study was discontinued due to the side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valavaara
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kortekangas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nordman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cantell
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha