[Treatment of various malignancies with recombinant IFN-gamma (S-6810). The IFN-gamma Study Group]

Recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) was given to patients with malignancies by continuous daily administration or by intermittent high doses. Local administration was performed for patients with skin malignancy, and bladder and hepatic carcinoma. Among 239 cases eligible for evaluation (144 cases treated by systemic administration and 95 cases by local injection), complete response was observed in one case each of renal cell carcinoma, malignant lymphoma and mycosis fungoides, all treated by systemic administration. Intermittent high doses of rIFN-gamma induced a response rate of 21.4% in renal cell carcinoma. This rate was higher than the 8.6% obtained following continuous administration. Average response rate to local injection of rIFN-gamma in skin malignancies was 55.3%. This value was comparable with that obtained by IFN-alpha treatment. Fever was observed in 89% of the cases treated by systemic administration. Chills, malaise and anorexia were the main side effects. Local injection also induced similar side effects, although the incidence was lower in comparison with systemic administration. Incidence of side effects was higher in the intermittent high-dose group than in the continuous administration group for all items except fever. However, patients showed good tolerance to high doses of rIFN-gamma reaching 40 X 10(6) U/m2/day.