title: Intrapleural treatment with recombinant gamma-interferon in early stage malignant pleural mesothelioma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This report presents the results of a prospective multi-institutional study of intrapleural treatment with gamma-interferon in patients with Butchart's Stages I and II epithelial or mixed malignant pleural mesothelioma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interferon was administered at a dose of 40 million units twice a week for 8 weeks intrapleurally via a catheter or an implantable port. Thoracoscopic or surgical biopsy was performed if computed tomography scan 2 weeks after the end of treatment demonstrated a reduction in tumor size. Survival was calculated after a follow-up of at least 18 months. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox model).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-nine patients were included over 46 months. Eight histologically confirmed complete responses and nine partial responses with at least a 50% reduction in tumor size were obtained. The overall response rate was 20%. Most responses were achieved in patients with early stage disease. The response rate for patients with Stage I disease was 45%. Tolerance of interferon was good. Treatment was performed on an outpatient basis. The main side effects were hyperthermia, liver toxicity, neutropenia, and catheter-related infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gamma-interferon is effective mainly in Stage I mesothelioma, especially if the tumor is confined to the parietal or diaphragmatic pleura (Stage IA).
authors.affiliation: Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boutin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nussbaum
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Monnet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bignon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanderschueren
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guerin
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Menard
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mignot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dabouis
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Douillard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma