title: Interferon-gamma in the first-line therapy of ovarian cancer: a randomized phase III trial.
abstract: Intraperitoneal treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) has been shown to achieve surgically documented responses in the second-line therapy of ovarian cancer. To assess its efficacy in the first-line therapy, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with 148 patients who had undergone primary surgery for FIGO stage Ic-Illc ovarian cancer. In the control arm women received 100 mg/m(-2) cisplatin and 600 mg/m(-2) cyclophosphamide, the experimental arm included the above regimen with IFN-gamma 0.1 mg subcutaneously on days 1, 3, 5, 15, 17 and 19 of each 28-day cycle. Progression-free survival at 3 years was improved from 38% in controls to 51% in the treatment group corresponding to median times to progression of 17 and 48 months (P= 0.031, relative risk of progression 0.48, confidence interval 0.28-0.82). Three-year overall survival was 58% and 74% accordingly (n.s., median not yet reached). Complete clinical responses were observed in 68% with IFN-gamma versus 56% in controls (n.s.). Toxicity was comparable in both groups except for a mild flu-like syndrome, experienced by most patients after administration of IFN-gamma. Thus, with acceptable toxicity, the inclusion of IFN-gamm in the first-line chemotherapy of ovarian cancer yielded a benefit in prolonging progression-free survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Windbichler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hausmaninger
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stummvoll
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kainz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahodny
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Denison
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müller-Holzner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin