Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha in combined therapy of advanced pancreatic cancer

Preliminary results of a combined therapy consisting of interferon-alpha, human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 5-FU in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer are presented. Each patient underwent surgical treatment, except one case in which partial resection was done. In all other patients only palliative operation was performed because of the advanced stage of the disease. The patients have been followed up for 4-19 months and all of them are still alive. Complete remission was observed in one patient; survival time 13 months. In two patients partial remission was achieved, survival time 10 and 6.5 months, respectively. The general condition of other patients was good and stable during the follow up.