title: Toxicity profile of interferon alfa-2b in children: A prospective evaluation.
abstract: The toxicity of interferon (IFN) alfa-2b therapy was prospectively evaluated in 53 children treated from 1991 to 1996 in 2 successive studies of IFN alfa therapy for severe hemangiomas at Sainte-Justine Hospital. Toxicity was generally mild and transient, with grade 1 toxicity occurring in 100% of patients, grade 2 toxicity in 89%, grade 3 toxicity in 58%, and grade 4 toxicity in 17%. Ten of 43 patients available for evaluation had an abnormal neurologic examination. Severe neurotoxicity in the form of spastic diplegia occurred in one patient. In conclusion, IFN alfa therapy is generally well tolerated in children. However, it may rarely be associated with severe toxicity and must be used with caution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Division of Haematology/Oncology, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hershon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carmant
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010502:Perineum; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins