title: Human alpha-lymphoblastoid interferon. A phase I study including pharmacokinetics and effects on hematologic stem cells (CFU-GMs).
abstract: Human alpha lymphoblastoid interferon (Wellferon) was administered to 33 patients in a phase I study. Patients received Wellferon intramuscularly every 12 hours for 14 doses in nine dosage levels ranging from 0.75 X 10(6) units to 50.0 X 10(6) units. Toxicity tended to be dose dependent and included fever/chills, malaise, hematologic toxicity, and digestive tract toxicity. Thirty X 10(6) u q 12 h was felt to be the maximum tolerated dose. Three partial responses (renal cell carcinoma, diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease) were achieved. Interferon rapidly (2 to 3 hours after the initial injection) reached peak serum levels which varied generally with dose and exceeded 500 u/ml at the 30 and 50 X 10(6) u dosages. Multiple doses of interferon resulted in cumulative peak levels substantially higher than first dose levels (greater than 500 u/ml at dosages greater than 3 X 10(6) u/ml and greater than 1,500 u/ml at dosages greater than or equal to 18 X 10(6) u). Interferon given at high dosages persisted up to 10 days beyond the final injection. Despite hematologic toxicity, inhibition of CFU-GM was not seen.
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I