[Therapy of renal cell carcinoma. 3. Interferon therapy]

Human lymphoblastoid interferon (HLBI-alpha) or recombinant human leukocyte interferon (HLIF-alpha) was administered to ten patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma at a daily dose of 5 X 10(6) units. The efficacy of interferon was assessed in nine patients who had received HLBI-alpha or HLIF-alpha for more than eight weeks. One patient (11%) demonstrated complete response (CR), three patients (33%) showed no change and five patients (56%) continued to have progressive disease. CR was obtained after 30 weeks under HLBI-alpha and FT-207 combination therapy. The main side effects were fever, anorexia, general fatigue and hematologic toxicities. Cessation of interferon therapy due to side effects was necessary in three patients. In conclusion interferon is one of the most valuable agents in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.