Aerosol application of interferon-alpha in the treatment of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.
10 patients with locally advanced bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were treated with interferon-alpha as an inhaled aerosol. Initial doses ranged between 1 and 10 MU daily or thrice weekly and were then increased to 20 MU daily. Treatment was continued until disease progression or excessive toxicity occurred, 9 patients were evaluable for toxicity. In 1 case treatment had to be stopped after 2 weeks due to fever, fatigue and progressive dyspnoea. 2 patients developed fever, 1 had malaise, fatigue and loss of appetite and 2 had dose-dependent transient dyspnoea. According to standard criteria no tumour responses could be detected. In 6 out of 8 evaluated for response to interferon, radiological stabilisation of disease for 7-43 weeks (median 15) was observed. These results point to the feasibility of aerosol inhalation of interferon-alpha, but also to its limited antitumour activity in locally advanced bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.
van Zandwijk
N
N
Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
Jassem
E
E
Dubbelmann
R
R
Braat
M C
MC
Rumke
P
P
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000628:therapy*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000336:Aerosols; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins