Toxicities of human recombinant interferon-alpha 2 in patients with advanced prostate carcinoma

Nine patients with hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma were treated with subcutaneous injection of recombinant human interferon-alpha 2 (rHuIFN-alpha 2), 5-10 X 10(6) U/m2, three times a week. One patient had a mixed clinical response with reduction of bone pain. The study was closed due to intolerable grade III and IV toxicities including weight loss (8/9), fatigue/malaise (7/9), central nervous system toxicity (4/9), leukopenia (3/9), and uncontrollable nausea and vomiting (2/9). These toxicities resulted in deterioration of performance status. It is concluded that rHuIFN-alpha 2, at least at the dose and schedule studied, should not be used for the treatment of patients with hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma.