title: Role of interferon-alpha-2b in the prevention of superficial carcinoma of the bladder recurrence.
abstract: In order to study the tolerability, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of interferon-alpha2b (Intron-A), 20 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder (Ta, T1) were given intravesically a low dose (9 million IU) of the drug mixed with 30 ml physiological saline for 8 weeks, starting 1 week after transurethral resection (TUR). Follow-up included urine cytology, ultrasonography of the abdomen and cystourethroscopy. Eleven patients (55%) had no signs of recurrence during a follow-up of 6-32 months (mean duration 24 months). Four patients (20%) had superficial tumor recurrence and 5 patients (25%) showed recurrence with progression to invasive tumors. Tolerability was very good, while toxicity in the form of mild flu-like symptoms was observed in only 3 patients. This pilot study showed that, at a low dose, intravesical interferon therapy can significantly lower the recurrence rate in superficial TCC of the urinary bladder with good tolerance and practically no side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saxena
mesh_terms: D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D003558:Cystoscopy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins