A phase II study on escalating interferon doses in advanced ovarian carcinoma.
Twenty-four patients with advanced and therapy-resistant ovarian carcinoma were treated with escalating daily doses of human leukocyte interferon (IFN). Doses ranged from 3 X 10(6) to 27 X 10(6) IU/day. Fatigue, fever, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia were the limiting factors in the escalation of doses. Of nine patients treated for at least 2 months, there were two patients with partial remissions and six with stable disease. Ascites production present in four patients became reduced in three. The level of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood lymphocytes increased following initiation of IFN therapy. We conclude that IFN-alpha can exert an antitumor effect in some patients with ovarian carcinoma that have previously failed on other therapy regimens.
Einhorn
N
N
Department of Gynecological Oncology, Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ling
P
P
Einhorn
S
S
Strander
H
H
D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced
D007370:Interferon Type I; D015088:2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase