HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Phase I-II study of advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with recombinant human interferon gamma.

Abstract
The association of immunodeficiency with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has generated the concept of supplying immunologically active agents as a means of treating these cancers. One of the most active immunologic messengers is interferon gamma, which has been observed in our laboratories to also have a direct cytotoxic effect on cultures of squamous cell carcinoma derived from the head and neck. To test the feasibility of treating patients with advanced but resectable head and neck cancer with this agent, we designed a phase I-II trial of recombinant human interferon gamma using a 24-hour infusion repeated weekly for four times. In this study, both tumor and immunologic parameters were studied before and after treatment. Eight patients were entered into the study with the highest recombinant human interferon gamma dose attempted being 0.25 mg/m2 per 24 hours. Minimal side effects were observed. Three patients had clinically measurable responses, four had stabilization of disease, and one had progression while receiving treatment. Histopathologic results of treatment were similar to in vitro observations. Necrosis, as well as differentiation of tumor cells, was observed. In some tumors there was a marked decrease in cellularity without a change in tumor volume due to increased extracellular keratin deposition. Our study indicates that evaluation of adoptive immunotherapy trials in head and neck cancer needs to include parameters other than simple tumor regression as an end point, otherwise therapeutically important lymphokine-induced changes may be missed. Further evaluation of recombinant human interferon gamma and agents that induce human interferon gamma are warranted.
AuthorsW J Richtsmeier, W M Koch, W P McGuire, M E Poole, E H Chang
JournalArchives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg) Vol. 116 Issue 11 Pg. 1271-7 (Nov 1990) ISSN: 0886-4470 [Print] United States
PMID2122909 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma
Topics
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (immunology, pathology, therapy)
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms (immunology, pathology, therapy)
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
  • Killer Cells, Natural (drug effects)
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Recombinant Proteins

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: