Immunochemotherapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma using a regimen of interleukin-2, interferon-alpha and 5-fluorouracil.
OBJECTIVE
Promising results of recent clinical trials with a triple drug bio-chemotherapy regimen encouraged its use in patients with renal cell carcinoma.


METHODS
In a phase II study of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma the efficacy and toxicity of a treatment regimen were evaluated using interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha 2 subcutaneously in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil. The treatment protocol consisted of an 8-week cycle given on an outpatient basis, with 6 to 9 MU/m2. interferon-alpha given 1 to 3 times a week during the 8 weeks, and sequentially combined with 5 to 20 MU/m2. interleukin-2, 3 times a week for 4 weeks and 750 mg./m.2 5-fluorouracil once a week for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Among 25 consecutive men and 9 women treated 3 (9%) had a complete and 10 (29%) had a partial remission (overall objective response rate 38%). Median response duration (complete plus partial) was 12.5 months (range 3 to 20+). Stable disease lasting 3 to 24+ months was noted in 12 patients (35%). There were only minor side effects, for a maximum toxicity grade of I in 3 patients, II in 25 and III in 6 according to the World Health Organization classification. There were no dose limiting toxicities and no treatment related deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
Triple drug immunochemotherapy resulted in a significant clinical effect comparable to an aggressive intravenous interleukin-2 treatment regimen but without significant toxicity.
Hofmockel
G
G
Department of Urology, University of Würzburg Medical School, Germany.
Langer
W
W
Theiss
M
M
Gruss
A
A
Frohmüller
H G
HG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D005472:Fluorouracil