Affiliations: Cattedra di Oncologia Medica, II Facolta di Medicina e Chirurgia, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
References: Not available.
Alpha 2b interferon (IFN) by intraperitoneal administration via temporary catheter in ovarian cancer. Preliminary data
Thirty-nine patients with epithelial ovarian cancer admitted to the Division of Medical Oncology of the Medical School II of Naples were given 159 courses of alpha 2b interferon (30 Mil.sqm IU) intraperitoneally from October 1986 to November 1989. IFN was generally administered every three weeks, but six patients received the drug weekly at the same dose, for an additional period. In 15 patients IFN was added to standard systemic chemotherapy as first line treatment; the remaining patients, all pretreated (22 with minimal and 2 with no residual disease), received an intraperitoneal multidrug treatment combining IFN, cisplatin and mitoxantrone. Peritoneal access was achieved through a temporarily implanted 18 gauge catheter and the drug was instilled in a large fluid volume (2,000 ml) to ensure wide spread and uniform distribution. IFN was well tolerated: only one patient had to discontinue treatment because of severe fatigue. No major complication related to catheter implantation or function occurred. 3/15 untreated and 11/20 pretreated patients, evoluable for response, achieved a pathological complete response (pCR). In view of IFN's lack of significant toxicity and the safety and tolerability of a temporary small gauge catheter for peritoneal access, intraperitoneal chemotherapy including IFN shouuld be useful in ovarian cancer patients with minimal or absent disease after first-line systemic treatment.
Alpha 2b interferon (IFN) by intraperitoneal administration via temporary catheter in ovarian cancer. Preliminary data
No results.
Alpha 2b interferon (IFN) by intraperitoneal administration via temporary catheter in ovarian cancer. Preliminary data