[Clinical experience with alpha and beta interferon in childhood cancer]

Alpha and beta interferon were tested for antitumor activity and clinical toxicity in 15 children suffering from cancer. The drug was administered IV, IM, IT or intralesionally daily in the majority of cases in total doses of 18 X 10(6) to 9,634 X 10(5) IU. Major toxicities were a flulike syndrome, elevation of transaminase activity and leukopenia. A minor response (less than 50%) was observed in one patient with glioblastoma, treated by intrathecal administration, and an objective local response was noted in one rhabdomyosarcoma patient with multiple subcutaneous metastases, who was treated by intralesional administration. CNS leukemia in two patients improved without hematological response. Further trials are warranted.