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Intratibial Osteosarcoma Cell Injection to Generate Orthotopic Osteosarcoma and Lung Metastasis Mouse Models
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Interferons and osteosarcoma

Hans Strander1

  • 1Department of Oncology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institute and Hospital, S-17176, Stockholm, Sweden. hans_strander@yahoo.com

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
|August 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Interferon (IFN) alpha therapy showed efficacy in viral and tumor diseases. Early studies in osteosarcoma patients demonstrated potential, leading to continued adjuvant IFN treatment and ongoing clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Systemic administration of interferon (IFN) alpha was explored for viral and tumor diseases starting in 1970.
  • Early studies at Karolinska hospital demonstrated antiviral and antitumour efficiency of IFN alpha.
  • Limited patient numbers in initial studies were due to a shortage of high-dose IFN preparations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of systemic interferon (IFN) alpha administration.
  • To investigate the use of adjuvant IFN treatment for osteosarcoma patients.
  • To summarize clinical results and model experiments of IFN therapy in osteosarcoma.

Main Methods:

  • Systemic administration of interferon (IFN) alpha preparations.
  • Adjuvant IFN treatment for a consecutive series of osteosarcoma patients (1970-1990).
  • In vitro and in vivo model experiments.
  • Outline of a large-scale randomized trial for adjuvant IFN treatment in osteosarcoma.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated antiviral and antitumour efficiency of interferon (IFN) alpha.
  • Preliminary follow-up results encouraged continued use of adjuvant IFN treatment in osteosarcoma.
  • Clinical results and model experiment findings are summarized.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic interferon (IFN) alpha can be administered without unacceptable side effects.
  • Adjuvant IFN treatment has shown potential in osteosarcoma patients.
  • A large-scale international trial continues to investigate adjuvant IFN therapy for osteosarcoma.

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