A trial of human alpha interferon as an adjuvant agent in breast cancer after loco-regional recurrence.
Thirty-two women who had developed loco-regional recurrence of breast carcinoma were entered into a controlled trial of adjuvant alpha-interferon. All patients had histological confirmation of recurrence, local treatment with radiotherapy and negative staging investigations. They were then randomized to either observation alone, or treatment with human alpha interferon 3 x 10(6) units subcutaneously daily for 1 year. There were no differences detected in the rate of local or distant relapse. With this lack of clinically significant efficacy and a high incidence of side effects, it is concluded that alpha interferon is of doubtful value in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.
Fentiman
I S
IS
ICRF Clinical Oncology Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Balkwill
F R
FR
Cuzick
J
J
Hayward
J L
JL
Rubens
R D
RD
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007370:Interferon Type I