title: Application of human leucocyte interferon in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
abstract: 15 patients with invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated with crude human leucocyte interferon (HLI) for 3 weeks before surgical removal of the tumour. 9 patients were given HLI topically and intramuscularly and 6 topically only. In 3 patients the surgical material was free from tumour cells, in 3 it showed a lower grade of carcinoma, and in 9 the findings remained unchanged. In only 1 patient the tumour metastasised to the lymph nodes. Typically a tumour regressed to about a third of its original size. There was a sharp distinction between the tumour mass and the healthy tissue manifested in the formation of a fibrous wall. On the basis of the scores--i.e., stromal response, relation between tumour-cell and macrophage activity and reactivity, and reactivity of the original lymph nodes--the overall appraisal of the response caused by HLI therapy was as follows: in 6 patients excellent, in 5 very good, in 1 moderate, in 2 poor, and in 1 no response. It is suggested that HLI is suitable for administration both before and after surgery in patients with cervical cancer of grade I or II. If stroma cannot be induced to respond within 21 days of treatment, HLI application should be discontinued.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011300:Preoperative Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons