title: Recombinant interferon gamma treatment in non-small cell lung cancer. Antitumour effect and cardiotoxicity.
abstract: Fifteen patients with previously untreated, inoperable non-small cell lung cancer were treated with r-IFN-gamma 2 mg/m2, on alternate days three times a week for a maximum of 12 weeks. After IFN treatment patients with stage III a + b disease received radiotherapy (55 Gy/44 F/32 d b.i.d.), and 4/5 patients with stage IV disease received chemotherapy (cisplatin-vindesine). Ten patients were evaluable for response at 4 weeks; 9 had stable disease and one had progressive disease. At 12 weeks 7 patients were evaluable; one had a partial response, and 6 had stable disease. Of 10 patients subsequently given radiotherapy 2 achieved CR, 5 PR, and 3 SD. Of the 3 evaluable patients receiving chemotherapy 1 PR, 1 SD and 1 PD were observed. IFN-gamma treatment was discontinued due to toxicity in 7/15 of patients. Main toxicities were the 'flu'-like syndrome (in 15 patients) and cardiovascular events (in 13 patients). Three patients were withdrawn because of cardiotoxicity. Our results suggest that high dose r-IFN-gamma might have some biological activity in NSCLC and does not interfere with subsequent conventional therapies given with a curative intent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niiranen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pyrhönen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Färkkilä
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cantell
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma