Endocavitary beta-interferon in neoplastic effusions

Thirteen patients with malignant genital or mammary neoplasias, with endocavitary neoplastic effusion (pleural or ascitic), were examined in order to study the modifications of neoplastic effusion in endocavitary treatment (intrapleural or intraperitoneal) with Beta-Interferon. There was an overall objective response in 70% of the patients treated, with 53.8% complete responses and an average duration response of above 6 months. The best results were obtained in patients with ovarian cancer, with 75% of objective responses (50% CR), confirming the efficacy of Beta-Interferon particularly at peritoneal level, where there is higher concentration and exposure of the drug in the site of disease.