Treatment of refractory colorectal carcinomas with fluorouracil, folinic acid, and interferon alfa-2a
Bernhard, H.; Klein, O.; Meyer zum Büschenfelde, K.H.; Knuth, A.
Seminars in Oncology 19(2 Suppl 3: 204-207
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0093-7754 PMID: 1557648 Document Number: 401403
Interferon has been shown to augment the cytotoxic effects of fluorouracil (5-FU) against colon cancer in vitro and possibly in vivo. Therefore a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the effects of the combination 5-FU/FA/interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) in colorectal adenocarcinomas refractory to first-line therapy with 5-FU/FA. Eleven patients with rectum cancer and four patients with colon cancer were treated according to the following schedule: 9 million units IFN-alpha subcutaneous three times a week; 500 mg/m2 5-FU via an intravenous bolus 1 hour after the initiation of a 2-hour infusion of 500 mg/m2 of FA, once a week. Of 15 patients, one had a minor response, one had a disease stabilization, and three had a mixed response. No complete or partial remissions were seen. Looking at the sensitivity of lung metastases (three of three), the regressions can be explained through the additive effect of IFN-alpha to 5-FU/FA. Although minimal side effects (World Health Organization classification) were observed, most patients experienced a reduction of well-being.