[Antitumor effect of human fibroblast interferon in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Antitumor effect of human fibroblast interferon (IFN-beta) on eleven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated. IFN-beta was administered intravenously to nine patients and intra-hepatic arterially to two patients. The dosages used were 10 X 10(6) units or 50 X 10(6) units of IFN-beta daily or twice a week, respectively for at least one month. Antitumor effect was evaluated by hepatic angiography, computerized tomography, and ultrasonography according to the criteria by Koyama and Saito. Tumor regressions were not observed at one month of the treatment. Nine patients were assessed as no change, and two patients as progressive disease. However, one patient receiving a total of 205 X 10(6) units of IFN-beta continuously achieved a minor response two months after onset of treatment. All patients experienced a rise in temperature higher than 38.8 degrees C, but it became infrequent within several days of treatment in most patients. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in more than half patients, but they returned to the initial counts by decreasing the dosage and/or discontinuation of interferon treatment for only a few days except one patient. It was concluded that IFN-beta was not more active than other available single agents for HCC. Further studies including dose, route, and schedule will be required to define the efficacy of interferon therapy for HCC.