Interferon alfa-2a and fluorouracil in the treatment of patients with advanced esophageal cancer

J Clin Oncol. 1992 Feb;10(2):269-74. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1992.10.2.269.

Abstract

Purpose: The trial was undertaken to determine the response rate to and toxicities from the combination of interferon alfa-2a (IFN) and fluorouracil (FU) in patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

Materials and methods: In this prospective phase II trial conducted at a large tertiary referral cancer center and university hospital, 40 patients with advanced locoregional, metastatic epidermoid, or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were given FU 750 mg/m2 by 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion days 1 to 5, followed by weekly outpatient bolus FU 750 mg/m2 and IFN 9 x 10(6) U three times per week from day 1. Dose was attenuated for fatigue, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and myelosuppression.

Results: Complete and partial responses were seen in 10 of 37 assessable patients with esophageal cancer (27%; 95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.41). Although substantial, toxicity was tolerable and primarily involved fatigue and mild myelosuppression. The median duration of response was 6.4 months (range, 2.8 to 14+ months).

Conclusion: The combination of IFN and FU is an active regimen in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer with a response rate similar to that reported for cisplatin-containing combinations in similar patient populations. Further studies based on this combination are indicated.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Fluorouracil