Phase II study of alpha-interferon plus bleomycin in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
A synergistic effect between alpha-Interferon and Bleomycin has been recently shown in in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. Although active, Bleomycin and other antineoplastic drugs give low response rates in non-small cell lung cancer, but, like the other antineoplastic agents, responses are short-lived. We treated 13 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with the combination Bleomycin 15 mg/m2 i.v. at hour 0 and alpha-Interferon 9 X 10(6) U i.m. given at hours 6, 30 and 54. Major side effects were pyrexia, astenia and anorexia; only one case of moderate leukopenia was observed. No major responses were obtained and stable disease lasted a median of 5 months. Further study of this combination is not warranted in patients with pretreated non-small cell lung cancer.
Giaccone
G
G
Division of Medical Oncology, Ospedale S. Giovanni A.S., Torino, Italy.
Donadio
M
M
Bonardi
G
G
Silvestro
L
L
Viano
I
I
Cotevino
G
G
Vinzio
M
M
Genazzani
E
E
Calciati
A
A
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D001761:Bleomycin