A phase II study of recombinant alpha interferon in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.
Thirty-three patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a recombinant alpha interferon (rIFN-alpha 2). All patients were ambulatory (performance status greater than or equal to 50 Karnofsky scale) and almost all had received previous chemotherapy. Large intravenous dosages of 30 to 50 X 10(6) IU/m2 were given for five consecutive days every two to three weeks to 22 patients and smaller subcutaneous dosage of 2 X 10(6) IU/m2 three times a week to 11 patients. No complete or partial responses were seen. Two patients had stable disease and the remainder progressed. Flu-like syndromes were seen in all patients. Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia were frequent. Hypotension and confusion were noted in six and five patients, respectively. Life-threatening leukopenia was noted in two patients receiving intravenous dosage and thrombocytopenia was noted in one; no sepsis or bleeding complications were noted. In this study, a highly purified and biologically active rIFN-alpha 2 was not associated with activity in previously treated women with metastatic breast cancer.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000139:chemically induced; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D007370:Interferon Type I