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PubMed1984

Recombinant interferon in advanced breast cancer.

Fifteen patients with locally advanced refractory breast cancer have been treated with recombinant leucocyte interferon ( rIFN -alpha A) for up to 12 weeks. Toxicity was considerable with the initial dosage schedule employed but became acceptable after reducing the starting dose by 50%. Minor side effects occurred in all patients and major CNS toxicity in six. Nine patients showed some evidence of tumour regression at 4 weeks. Only two of these were still responding at 12 weeks. Response was unrelated to the length of previous history, oestrogen receptor status or previous responsiveness to cytotoxic or hormone therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Neurological effects of recombinant human interferon.

Ten women with advanced locally recurrent breast cancer who had failed to respond to radiation and hormonal and cytotoxic agents were given up to 12 weeks of recombinant leucocyte interferon 20 X 10(6) U/m2 daily or 50 X 10(6) U/m2 three times a week. Within one hour of administration influenza-like symptoms began, which one week later were superseded by lethargy, anorexia, and nausea, with a consequent loss of weight in most patients. Other side effects included profound somnolence, confusion, paraesthesia, and (in one patient) signs of an upper motor neurone lesion in the legs. All these effects together with increased slow wave activity in electroencephalograms from all patients during treatment disappeared when interferon was withdrawn and did not recur on reintroducing the drug at a lower dosage. Studies are continuing to determine the mechanisms of these effects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interferon.

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Humans↗