Human lymphoblastoid interferon therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Antitumor activity of human lymphoblastoid interferon (HLBI) in advanced renal cell carcinoma was studied. Intramuscular injection at a dose of 3 X 10(6) IU was given daily to 18 patients, including 14 patients who had undergone nephrectomy and 4 patients who had not undergone the procedure. One patient (5.6%) showed complete remission; 2 patients (11.1%) minor remission, 8 patients (44.4%) stable disease, and 7 patients (38.9%) progression. Three responders were the patients who had had nephrectomy, and whose metastatic sites were lung. Tumor responses were observed in patients with renal cell carcinoma of clear cell type or mixed type of clear cells and granular cells. We concluded that interferon has a potential antitumor activity in selected patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.