|
Anticancer therapeutic potential and immune response modifying activity of recombinant human interferon gamma (Lucky Central Laboratory, Korea) were evaluated in advanced colorectal carcinoma patients. 31 patients were randomized to two groups: A group receiving 5 x 10^(4) units IM daily for 4 weeks and B group given 10 x 10^(6) units IM daily for 4 weeks. 27 patients were evaluable for toxicities. Reversible toxicities of WHO grade <3 were noted in both groups which included fever, malaise, anorexia, and headache in order of decreasing frequency. Dose dependent toxicities were obvious since group B showed more frequent and severe toxicities. Among the laboratory changes, leukopenia was most frequent with 6 out of 18 group B patients. While receiving IFN-gamma, NK activity and T8(+) lymphocytes were increased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. But Tac(+) lymphocytes were not increased in proportion. These immunologic changes were about same in both groups. 24 patients were evaluable for response with no antitumor responses observed. Only 3 patients showed stable disease for mean duration of 3 months. Our results suggest that 5 x 10^(6) units of IFN-gamma injection daily is tolerable and sufficient for enhancing host immune response against cancer, although inactive in the real eradication of advanced colorectal cancer. Additional clinical investigations are warranted in terms of combination with interferons and other biological response modifiers.
|