[Phase II study of recombinant leukocyte A interferon (Ro 22-8181) in malignant brain tumors]

A phase II study of recombinant interferon alpha A (Ro 22-8181) for malignant brain tumors was jointly conducted at 21 medical institutes in order to evaluate its clinical effects and side effects. Treatment started with exclusive administration of Ro 22-8181 at 3 X 10(6) U/day, which was increased appropriately after confirmation of its safety, until an optimum dose permitting long-term administration was achieved for each patient. The dose thus determined was intramuscularly administered daily. Among those treated, 39 patients were available for evaluation. The percentage of partial responses according to the "Criteria for the Evaluation of Clinical Effects of Cancer Chemotherapy on Solid Tumor" by Koyama and Saito was 10.3% (4/39). Histologically, this was 7.1% (1/14) for glioblastoma and 14.3% (3/21) for malignant astrocytoma. Side effects included fever (57.3%), anorexia (34.1%), general fatigue (31.7%), leukopenia (52.4%) and thrombocytopenia (30.5%), and increased GOT and GPT (40.2%). In view of the success even in previously treated patients, and the side effects observed, Ro 22-8181 may be accepted as a useful addition to the treatment of malignant brain tumors.