Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
TREATMENT OF VIRUS-ASSOCIATED TUMORS WITH INTERFERON (IFN)
The Interferon System. A Current Review to 1987. Baron S et al, eds. The University of Texas Medical Branch Series in Biomedical Science, Austin, TX, University of Texas Press, p. 477-85, 1987.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650516 Leventhal BG; CMSC 804, Johns Hopkins Hosp., Baltimore, MD 21205
Abstract:
The tumors discussed in this paper, both benign and malignant, have all been consistently associated with the presence of a DNA virus; there has been no proof, however, that the virus is, in fact, the principal inducer of the malignant process in any of these tumors. Treatment of virus-associated tumors with interferon (IFN) is reviewed under the following headings: papillomavirus-associated tumors (skin lesions, genital lesions, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis), Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignancies (Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma), Kaposi's sarcoma, IFN toxicity, and assaying the effect on the immune system. The subsection on genital lesions deals with condyloma acuminata, penile condylomata, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There appeared to be a spectrum of responses to IFN-alpha, with the more indolent lesions of condyloma acuminata responding well to relatively low doses of 2 million units/m2, often with permanent clearing of lesions; while the somewhat more rapidly growing laryngeal papillomas respond to doses in the 2-5 million units/m2 range, but frequently regrow once treatment is stopped. The highly aggressive lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma respond to doses an order of magnitude higher, where toxicity is often prohibitive. Repeated intralesional injection of recombinant IFN-alpha 2 appeared to be ineffective in the treatment of plantar warts; repeated intralesional injection of fibroblast IFN was, however, effective in the treatment of cutaneous warts, although it was considered to be impractical because of the multiple injections required and the delay in response. Less significant responses appear so far to have been obtained with the other virus-associated tumors considered. There has been insufficient evidence to assess the clinical utility of IFN-beta. (38 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/THERAPY Burkitt's Lymphoma/THERAPY Carcinoma in Situ/THERAPY Cervix Neoplasms/THERAPY Clinical Trials Condylomata Acuminata/THERAPY Female Herpesvirus 4, Human Human Interferon Alfa, Recombinant/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE Interferon Type I/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE Interferons/ADVERSE EFFECTS/*THERAPEUTIC USE Male Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/THERAPY Papilloma/THERAPY Papillomavirus Penile Neoplasms/THERAPY Respiratory Tract Neoplasms/THERAPY Sarcoma, Kaposi's/COMPLICATIONS/THERAPY Tumor Virus Infections/*THERAPY CLINICAL TRIAL MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
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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.
