Pilot phase II trial of 13-cis-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha combination therapy for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The combination of interferons (IFNs) and retinoids in antineoplastic therapy is based upon preclinical, in vitro, and in vivo observations. Retinoid-IFN combinations have shown significant antitumor activity against advanced cutaneous and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and the toxic effects do not appear to overlap. Based on in vitro evidence of synergy and observed clinical activity, we conducted a pilot phase II trial of 13-cis-retinoic acid (1 mg/kg/day) and IFN alpha (6 million units/day) in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. No objective responses occurred among six evaluable patients. The toxicities were mild and reversible, and grade 3 fatigue occurred in only one patient. No objective antitumor activity was noted against pancreatic adenocarcinomas at the dose and schedule utilized. Further exploration of this this purely biological approach is not warranted for pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Section of Gastrointestinal Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
D F
DF
Moore
R
R
Pazdur
S
S
Sugarman
D
D
Jones
S M
SM
Lippman
B
B
Bready
J L
JL
Abbruzzese
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015474:Isotretinoin