Recombinant interferon-alpha 2a and vinblastine in advanced renal cell cancer: a clinical phase I-II study

Twenty patients with metastatic renal cell cancer were treated with a combination of recombinant interferon-alpha 2a (Roferon-A), 18 MU intramuscularly three times weekly and vinblastine 0.1 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks. Three patients experienced a complete response (CR) (15%) and three a partial response (PR) (15%). The response duration was 3, 13, and 15 months in the CR group, and PRs lasted 11, 13, and 14 months. Constitutional symptoms like fever, anorexia, and fatigue were the most common side effects. One patient had reversible hepatitis, which was probably unrelated to antineoplastic therapy. Dose modifications had to be made in seven patients due to leukopenia or thrombocytopenia. No very serious side effects were noticed. In view of what has been reported previously, the overall response rate (30%) of this regimen is good and tolerance of the treatment is acceptable.