title: The role of interferons in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
abstract: Interferons, a group of cytokines with antiangiogenic, direct antitumour and immunostimulating properties, have shown significant activity against osteosarcoma in vitro and in xenograft models. They have also been used in osteosarcoma clinical trials as a single adjuvant to surgery, with an apparent increase in relapse-free survival. In the ongoing EURAMOS 1 clinical trial, interferon alpha-2b is evaluated as an adjuvant treatment in osteosarcoma. This article reviews the rationale for the use of interferon in cancer with special reference to the treatment of osteosarcoma, including all published data of clinical efficacy in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perisoglou
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielack
authors.forename: Neyssa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marina
authors.forename: Sigbjorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smeland
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007372:Interferons