title: Interferon alfa-n1 (Wellferon) in juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: results of a randomized study in twelve collaborative institutions.
abstract: Sixty-six patients with clinically severe juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) were entered into a 12-month randomized crossover study to evaluate interferon alpha-n1 Wellferon (WFN) as an adjuvant to CO2 laser surgical excision. Eligibility required disease onset to be before age 16, and an endoscopic excision requirement of at least three operations in the 6 months immediately prior to entry. Patients were randomized to Observation versus WFN at a dose of 5 MU/m2 daily for 28 days and three times weekly for 5 months. The patient groups were comparable in extent of disease at entry. Total extent of disease was determined by a composite score derived from the number of diseased anatomic sites and extent of surface area and lumen encroachment present at each site. Standard endoscopic excisions were performed every 2 months and clinical courses compared on a basis of composite scores determined at each endoscopy. Statistically significant improvement occurred in the patient group which received WFN. We conclude that interferon alpha n-1 is an effective adjuvant to surgery in RRP management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kashima
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dedo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fearon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goepfert
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lusk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000628:therapy*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000628:therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins