Antitumor effects of human lymphoblastoid interferon on advanced renal cell carcinoma

Human lymphoblastoid interferon alpha was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 3 times 10(6) units per day to 25 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Six patients (24.0 per cent) showed objective responses, including 2 with complete regression of tumors. Nine patients (37.5 per cent) showed disease stabilization, while the disease progressed in 9 others (37.5 per cent). All tumor responses (2 complete, 4 partial and 2 mixed responses) were seen in lung, skin and liver metastases in patients whose primary tumors had been removed. Mean time to response was 87 +/- 74 days (range 28 to 240 days) and mean duration of response was 6.5 +/- 6.4 months (range 1 to greater than 20 months). Human lymphoblastoid interferon alpha was a potential active antitumor agent in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.