Current status of interferons in the treatment of cancer

Interferons produced by recombinant DNA technology began phase I trials little more than a decade ago. Today interferon alfa-2 is a mainstay in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, and has demonstrated benefit in the more common chronic myelogenous leukemia. Interferon alfa-2 also has activity in other hematologic malignancies, including indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, and in solid tumors such as disseminated melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, endocrine pancreatic tumors, and malignant carcinoid tumors. Interferon alfa, beta, and gamma remain under investigation to define potential roles in ovarian, breast, bladder, and cervical carcinomas and gliomas. The greatest value of the interferons will be in prolonging the disease-free interval when used in combination with other treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other biologic agents.