Use of interferon alpha in intratumoral chemotherapy for cystic craniopharyngioma.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzed the intratumoral activity of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) in the treatment of cystic craniopharyngiomas.


METHODS
From January 2000 to January 2004, nine patients presenting with cystic craniopharyngiomas were treated with intratumoral injection of IFN-alpha at the Pediatric Oncology Institute of the Federal University of São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina. Age ranged from 1 year and 10 months to 18 years (mean 10 years). All intratumoral catheters were inserted by a subfrontal approach. Doses varied from 36 to 108 MU.


RESULTS
There was complete disappearance of the lesion in seven cases. In two cases, partial reduction of tumor size was observed at follow-up. Follow-up varied from 1 year to 3 years and 6 months (mean 1 year 8 months).


CONCLUSIONS
IFN-alpha proved to be an effective drug in the control of cystic craniopharyngiomas. Additional studies should be carried out to determine the optimal dose of IFN-alpha in the treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma. In addition, other drugs possessing high efficacy and low neurotoxicity should be analyzed.
Cavalheiro
S
S
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatric Oncology Institute, Federal University of São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Botucatu 591/42, 4023-061, São Paulo, Brazil. iscava@uol.com.br
Dastoli
P A
PA
Silva
N S
NS
Toledo
S
S
Lederman
H
H
da Silva
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003560:Cysts / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha