Application of human leucocyte interferon in patients with tumours of the head and neck

Local administration of crude human leucocyte interferon (HLI) produced substantial or total remission in patients with cancers of the head and neck. At the end of HLI therapy 10 of 30 patients were considered completely cured. In 10 patients unepithelialised skin lesions were hardly visible, in 5 the tumours were significantly reduced in size and had clear-cut borders, in 2 the tumours showed a tendency towards regression, and in 3 there was no effect. Application of HLI close to the tumour site appears to prevent dispersal of tumour cells during surgical removal of the tumour. It also inhibits metastatic spread, thereby reducing the likelihood of recurrence.