[Local administration of recombinant interferon-beta to patients with cancer-associated body cavity fluids]

The effects of local administration of interferon-beta produced by recombinant DNA technology (GKT-beta, Kyowa Hakko) on malignant effusion were studied in cancer patients and evaluated on the basis of the Criteria for the Evaluation of the Clinical Effects of Solid Cancer Chemotherapy (effects on malignant effusion). Out of 13 cases of peritoneal effusion, the effects were evaluated in 9 cases. Four of these cases remained free from ascites for 4 weeks and were evaluated as complete response (CR). Administration of GKT-beta alone was performed in 4 of 7 cases of pleural effusion, and CR was obtained in 1 case each of breast cancer, gastric cancer and malignant mesothelioma. In cases of gastric cancer, CR was obtained in 5 of 10 cases. The above results suggest that GKT-beta is a very effective drug against malignant effusion.