Abstract
Twenty-six patients with advanced cancer received monthly intramuscular recombinant leukocyte A interferon (IFN-alpha 2A), 12 X 10(6) U/m2 daily X 5 with escalating doses of doxorubicin, 25 to 40 mg/m2 on day 3. As anticipated, dose-limiting toxicities were an influenza-type syndrome and myelosuppression. A clinically meaningful and dramatic partial response of hepatocellular carcinoma persisted for 11.5 months associated with an alpha-fetoprotein reduction from 39,000 to 299 ng/ml. For Phase II investigations, the authors recommend the above IFN-alpha 2A dose with doxorubicin, 40 mg/m2, in patients with a performance score of 0 or 1 and no prior chemotherapy or significant radiation therapy which would enhance myelosuppression.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
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Carcinoma / drug therapy
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
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Doxorubicin / administration & dosage*
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Doxorubicin / adverse effects
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Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
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Drug Evaluation
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Female
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Humans
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Interferon Type I / administration & dosage*
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
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Interferon-alpha / adverse effects
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
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Leukopenia / chemically induced
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Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Recombinant Proteins
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Thyroid Neoplasms / drug therapy
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alpha-Fetoproteins / metabolism
Substances
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Interferon Type I
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha
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Recombinant Proteins
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alpha-Fetoproteins
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Doxorubicin