The Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Human Leukocyte Alpha-Interferon

Abstract

An extended phase II trial of human leukocyte (.alpha.) interferon was done in 48 patients with measurable metastatic renal cell carcinoma, 43 of whom were evaluable. Of these patients 1 (2.5%) had a complete response that was maintained after 19 mo., 6 (14%) had a partial response and an additional 23% had either a minimal response or stabilization of previously growing metastases for > 3 mo. Toxicity caused termination of treatment in only 1 patient and generally was tolerable. Major toxicity consisted of fever (80%), fatigue (80%) and hematologic toxicity (42%), which was severe in 2 patients. Characteristics of patients responding to therapy were good performance status, previous nephrectomy and metastases limited to the lungs. The results achieved with human leukocyte interferon were superior to those achieved by immunotheapy or chemotherapy at this and other institutions, and further trials are warranted.