Human leukocyte interferon therapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma

Abstract

Daily i.m. injections of 3 .times. 106 INP of human leukocyte interferon were given to 5 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma, all of whom previously received other forms of treatment. Ascitic fluid production ceased in 2 of 2 patients. According to the criteria specified by Young and DeVita, a partial response was observed in 1 patient; in 2 other patients the disease was stable for > 1 yr. Side effects of the interferon therapy were relatively mild. The introduction of interferon therapy was followed by an increase in the natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in all 3 patients examined. Natural killer cell activity decreased after cessation of interferon therapy in the 1 patient where this was tested.