title: Immunochemotherapy of advanced colorectal cancer with alpha-interferon and 5-fluorouracil. 1. Toxicological studies.
abstract: Twelve patients with advanced colorectal cancer were subjected to alternating cycles of treatment with low immunomodulating doses of recombinant alpha-interferon (alpha IFN) + 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or with 5FU alone. Hematological, biochemical and physical evaluation of the patients showed that alpha IFN + 5FU cycles were well tolerated like 5FU alone, except for modest and transient fever following alpha IFN administration. At hematological nadir (day 15-18 of each cycle) lymphocytopenia and granulocytopenia were more pronounced during alpha IFN + 5FU than 5FU cycles. No difference was found for platelet nadir. At the beginning of each cycle complete leukocyte recovery was observed in all cases. Platelet recovery was also complete, although counts were higher after alpha IFN + 5FU than after 5FU alone. Clinical results showed 1 complete remission, 1 partial remission, 5 stable disease and 5 progressive disease. These data point out that low doses of alpha IFN can be safely associated with 5FU. However further studies are required to establish the possible therapeutic value of alpha IFN-mediated immunomodulation for immunochemotherapy of colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, II University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Vecchis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nunziata
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cucchiara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonmassar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lagomarsino Caprino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonmassar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D005472:Fluorouracil