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Annals of Oncology 7:208-210, 1996
© 1996 European Society for Medical Oncology

other

A pilot study of combination therapy with interferon-{alpha}-2a and 5-fluorouracil in metastatic carcinoid and malignant endocrine pancreatic tumours

M. J. Hughes1, D. J. Kerr2, J. Cassidy3, M. Soukop4, K. McGregor1, N. Blackburn5, H. Yosef1 and S. B. Kaye1

1Medical Oncology Unit, Beatson Oncology Centre Glasgow
2Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre Birmingham
3Department of Medical Oncology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Aberdeen
4Medical Oncology Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary Glasgow
5Department of Clinical Research, Roche Products Ltd. Welwyn Garden City, UK

M. J. Hughes, M.D. Medical Oncology Unit Beatson Oncology Centre Glasgow G11 6NT, U.K.

Background: In view of the encouraging single agent response rates to interferon and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in malignant carcinoid and endocrine pancreatic tumours and the theoretical benefits of combination therapy with 5-FU and interferon in other tumours a study was designed to look at the feasibility of this combination, given for 12 months, in these tumours.

Patients and methods: Patients were treated with 5-FU 750 mg/m2 by intravenous bolus every week and 3 Mega Units of recombinant interferon-{alpha}-2a subcutaneously 3 times per week increasing, as tolerated, to 6 then 9 MU. Fifteen patients were entered into the study.

Results: One patient died suddenly of an unrelated illness and is not assessed. None of the remaining 14 patients had radiological evidence of response to treatment, although 6 had stable disease lasting for 7 to 64 weeks (median 40 weeks). Two patients did have biochemical evidence of a response, i.e., a 50% reduction in baseline urinary 5HIAA for 26 and 52 weeks. Treatment toxicity was significant. Six patients stopped treatment prematurely because of either nausea and/or diarrhoea. Overall treatment duration ranged from 4 to 64 weeks (median 7.5 weeks).

Conclusion: Overall we found the treatment to be disappointing in terms of tolerance and response rate and do not recommend its use in malignant carcinoid or endocrine pancreatic tumours.

{alpha}-interferon, carcinoid, 5-fluorouracil, islet cell, neuroendocrine tumours


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