Abstract
Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) enhances the activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer although the mechanism is not understood. We have investigated the effect of this combination on cellular immunity and compared this with standard therapy of 5-FU/L-leucovorin, in 24 patients with advanced colorectal cancer. This study has demonstrated an enhancement of the cellular immune response in patients given 5-FU/IFN-alpha with augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell function and abrogation of 5-FU-induced suppression of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
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Randomized Controlled Trial
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
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Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology*
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Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Female
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Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
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Fluorouracil / adverse effects
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Humans
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Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
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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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Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / drug effects
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Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / immunology
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Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
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Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
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Leucovorin / administration & dosage
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Leucovorin / adverse effects
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Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Lymphocytes / immunology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Phenotype
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Recombinant Proteins
Substances
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Interferon alpha-2
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Interferon-alpha
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Recombinant Proteins
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Leucovorin
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Fluorouracil