Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
INTERFERONS IN CANCER THERAPY
PPO Updates; 1(4):1-16 1987. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650144 Clark JW; Longo DL; Biological Response Modifiers Program, Div. of Cancer Treatment,; NCI, Frederick Cancer Res. Facility, Frederick, MD
Abstract:
Until recently, alpha interferons (IFNs) have been the primary IFNs used in clinical trials. The most gratifying results with such IFNs have been obtained in hairy cell leukemia, but sufficient levels of activity have been observed against other malignancies to warrant further pursuit of the role of IFNs in anticancer therapy. Over the past 2 yr, recombinant beta and gamma IFNs have undergone early-phase clinical testing, and preliminary results from these studies indicate some activity against various malignancies, primarily those in which responses have also been observed with alpha IFN; whether the beta and gamma IFNs will have unique activities not observed with alpha IFN is yet unknown. Different types of interferon may have synergistic therapeutic effects when used together, and gamma IFN appears to enhance the antitumor effects of tumor necrosis factor. Efforts to integrate IFN into combination chemotherapy programs are just beginning. Updated information relevant to the use of IFNs in cancer therapy is presented in further detail in this report under the following section headings and subheadings: classification of IFNs, biological actions of IFNs, antiproliferative activity, differentiation and control of cellular genes, immune modulatory properties of IFNs (NK cells, K cells, and LAK activity; T lymphocytes; B lymphocytes; macrophages; neutrophils/polymorphonuclear leukocytes), pharmacokinetics, development of antibodies against IFN, clinical trials with IFNs, clinical treatment with alpha IFN, side effects of alpha IFN therapy, alpha IFN therapy of specific malignancies (hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemias, glioma, AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, other malignancies, direct local alpha IFN therapy, combinations of alpha IFN with other agents), beta IFN, gamma IFN, IFN inducers, and future directions. (139 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS Antibody Formation Brain Neoplasms/THERAPY Carcinoma, Renal Cell/THERAPY Clinical Trials Glioma/THERAPY Human Interferon Inducers/THERAPEUTIC USE Interferon Type I/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE Interferon Type II/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE Interferons/ADVERSE EFFECTS/IMMUNOLOGY/PHARMACOKINETICS/ THERAPEUTIC USE Kidney Neoplasms/THERAPY Leukemia, Hairy Cell/THERAPY Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic/THERAPY Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's/THERAPY Melanoma/THERAPY Multiple Myeloma/THERAPY Neoplasms/IMMUNOLOGY/MORTALITY/*THERAPY Ovarian Neoplasms/THERAPY Sarcoma, Kaposi's/ETIOLOGY/THERAPY CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW LITERATURE
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
