Leukocyte Interferon-Induced Tumor Regression in Human Metastatic Breast Cancer, Multiple Myeloma, and Malignant Lymphoma

  1. JORDAN U. GUTTERMAN, M.D.;
  2. GEORGE R. BLUMENSCHEIN, M.D.;
  3. RAYMOND ALEXANIAN, M.D.;
  4. HWEE-YONG YAP, M.B.B.S.;
  5. AMAN U. BUZDAR, M.B.B.S.;
  6. FERNANDO CABANILLAS, M.D.;
  7. GABRIEL N. HORTOBAGYI, M.D.;
  8. EVAN M. HERSH, M.D.;
  9. SHELLEY L. RASMUSSEN, Ph.D.;
  10. MAURICE HARMON, Ph.D.;
  11. MICHAEL KRAMER, Ph.D.; and
  12. SIDNEY PESTKA, M.D.
  1. Houston, Texas; and Nutley, New Jersey

    Abstract

    Thirty-eight patients with advanced breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and malignant lymphoma were treated with partially purified (about 0.1%) leukocyte interferon. Patients were treated with a remission-induction schedule of 3 million to 9 million antiviral units daily intramuscularly for 4 to 26 weeks. Responding patients were maintained on a schedule of 3 million U three times weekly. Tumor regression was observed in seven of 17 patients with breast cancer. Six of 10 patients with multiple myeloma responded with a decrease of at least 50% in serum myeloma protein levels or Bence Jones protein excretion. Six of the 11 lymphoma patients achieved tumor regression. Complete remissions occurred in two patients. Of the 19 responding patients, five remain on study for 52 to 63 weeks. Toxicity included low-grade fever, fatigue, anorexia, and partial alopecia. Myelosuppression (lowest median leukocyte count, 2500/mm3; granulocytes, 1300/mm3) occurred in most patients. On the basis of this pilot study, we conclude that leukocyte interferon can induce tumor regression in patients with advanced cancer.

    Article and Author Information

    • ▸From the Departments of Developmental Therapeutics, Medicine, and Biomathematics, The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, and the Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and Hoffman-La Roche, Department of Chemotherapy, and Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, Nutley, New Jersey.

    • Grant support: By grants CA 05831 and CA 03195 from the National Cancer Institute; a grant from the Cancer Research Institute of New York; and the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, New York, New York. Dr. Gutterman has a career development award, CA 71007-02, from the National Institutes of Health.

    • ▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Jordan U. Gutterman, M.D.; Department of Developmental Therapetics, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Texas Medical Center; Houston, TX 77030.

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    1. Ann Intern Med September 1, 1980 vol. 93 no. 3 399-406
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