title: Interferon-alpha as the only adjuvant treatment in high-grade osteosarcoma: long term results of the Karolinska Hospital series.
abstract: This experience of single agent interferon-alpha treatment in high-grade osteosarcoma was based on observed anti-osteosarcoma activity in laboratory models and was started before introduction of aggressive combination chemotherapy. From 1971 to 1990, 89 consecutive patients with non-metastatic high-grade osteosarcoma received semi-purified, leukocyte interferon-alpha as adjuvant treatment. From 1971 to 1984, 70 patients were given a dose of 3 MIU daily for one month followed by 3 times weekly for an additional 17 months. For 19 patients treated from 1985 to 1990 the dose was increased to 3 MIU daily and the treatment duration extended to 3-5 years. All patients underwent surgery prior to interferon treatment. The toxicity was mainly constitutional and long-term toxicity was virtually absent. With a median follow-up of 12 years the observed 10-year metastases-free and sarcoma specific survival rates were 39% and 43%, respectively. Only one of seven survivors after relapse received chemotherapy. This work suggests activity of interferon-alpha as adjuvant treatment in high-grade osteosarcoma. The efficacy of interferon in combination with standard therapy should be explored in randomized trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tumour Biology, The Norwegian Radiumhospital, Oslo, Norway. christoph.muller@klinmed.uio.no
authors.forename: Christoph R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Sigbjørn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smeland
authors.forename: Henrik C F
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saeter
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Strander
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha