High dose rDNA human alpha 2 interferon therapy in patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma: a phase II study

Eighteen patients with advanced and inoperable colorectal adenocarcinomas were treated with high doses of alpha 2 Interferon (Schering-Plough Corporation). The patients were randomized to receive either subcutaneous injections of 20 X 10(6) I.U./m2 three times weekly for 3 months, or pulsed treatments of 50 X 10(6) I.U./m2 daily, given intravenously, for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks. No objective tumour regression was seen in any patient. The side effects were considerable.