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[5-Fluorouracil and alpha-2a interferon in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer]
N Shinohara1, T Harabayashi, H Matsuda
1Department of Urology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine.
Background:
Hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer remains a disease for were limited therapeutic options are available. Therefore, the establishment of newly, more effective chemotherapy is expected. Experimental data suggest that PC-3, a human hormone refractory prostate cancer cell line, showed a 2-fold increase in 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) sensitivity in the presence of alpha-2a Interferon (IFN alpha 2a) at 100 IU/ml, compared to that without IFN alpha 2a. Based on this data, we treated 11 patients with 5FU and IFN alpha 2a in order to determine the clinical response and toxicity of this combination chemotherapy.
Methods:
One course of this combination chemotherapy consisted of a continuous intravenous infusion of 5FU at 600 mg/m2/day for 5 days (D1-D5) with IFN alpha 2a 3 million units (MU) intramuscularly 3 times weekly (D1, D3, D5) followed by a bolus injection of 5FU at 600 mg/m2 and IFN alpha 2a at 3 MU/day on D15 and D22.
Results:
Based on the Response Criteria for Prostate cancer Treatment, one of 9 patients with bony metastasis had partial response, 2 patients with nodal disease on the CT scan obtained partial response. Six of 11 patients had more than 50% decrease in post-therapy prostatic antigen levels, 3 of whom obtained complete response. Significant myelosuppression did not occur. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that the combination of 5FU and IFN alpha 2a, although preliminary, is an active regimen against hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
Insights
This study explored a combination of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and Interferon alpha 2a (IFN alpha 2a) for hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer. The combination showed promising activity with manageable toxicity in a small patient group.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Prostate Cancer Research
Background:
- Hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer has limited treatment options.
- Pre-clinical data indicated enhanced 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) sensitivity with alpha-2a Interferon (IFN alpha 2a) in prostate cancer cells.
- This prompted investigation into the combination therapy in patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical response and toxicity of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
- The regimen combined 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and alpha-2a Interferon (IFN alpha 2a).
- The target patient population was those with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- A combination chemotherapy regimen was administered to 11 patients.
- It involved continuous intravenous 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and intramuscular alpha-2a Interferon (IFN alpha 2a).
- Specific dosing and schedules were followed over defined treatment periods.
Main Results:
- Partial responses were observed in patients with bony and nodal metastases.
- Six out of 11 patients experienced over 50% decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, with 3 achieving complete response.
- The combination therapy demonstrated significant myelosuppression in none of the patients and no chemotherapy-related deaths.
Conclusions:
- The combination of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and alpha-2a Interferon (IFN alpha 2a) appears to be an active treatment.
- This regimen shows preliminary efficacy against hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.
- Further investigation is warranted for this promising therapeutic approach.