title: Can recombinant human alpha-2 interferon prevent recurrence of high-grade superficial bladder tumors?
abstract: Eight patients with superficial bladder cancer were treated by systemic interferon (IFN) alpha-2 application to investigate whether the rate of local tumor recurrence could be diminished. All patients had recurrent high-grade urothelial cancer. Recombinant human IFN alpha-2 was administered by daily intramuscular injections for a period of 6 weeks. The natural-killer cell activity and the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was augmented for a short time only. However, this was of no clinical benefit. Tumor recurrence was observed in seven out of the eight patients within 6 months following therapy. IFN serum levels, which were measured during interferon treatment, did not inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro.
mesh_terms: D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I