Addition of IFN-alpha to treatment of malignant brain tumors.
Despite many attempts to improve the survival after surgery of patients with malignant astrocytoma the prognosis is poor. We have used natural IFN-alpha in 16 patients with malignant astrocytoma treated between 1987 and 1990; 6 for recurrent tumors. Radiation therapy was given in 2 Gy fractions daily to a total dose of 50 Gy in the tumor area, 5 fractions per week and IFN twice per week, cisplatinum 60 mg/m2 i.v. every second week and vincristine 2 mg every week in 12-h i.v. infusions. Eight patients were reoperated when clinical deterioration suggested recurrent tumor; histological examination showed no residual tumor in 7 of them. Of these 8 patients 3 are alive and well, 2 of them after more than 5 years. The study suggests that malignant astrocytoma can be successfully eradicated with surgery, irradiation, IFN-alpha and chemotherapy. The treatment had, however, unacceptably high neurotoxicity. Earlier removal of the tumor necrosis, before clinical deterioration, could possibly diminish the high complication rate and consequently improve survival.
Jereb
B
B
Institute of Oncology, Clinical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Petric-Grabnar
G
G
Klun
B
B
Lamovec
J
J
Skrbec
M
M
Soos
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000628:therapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000628:therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016898:Interferon-alpha