TREATMENT OF NEUROTOXIC SIDE-EFFECTS OF INTERFERON-ALPHA WITH NALTREXONE

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has potential dose-limiting neurotoxic si de effects when used in cancer therapy. The nature of this neurotoxici ty is speculative, and there is no definitive treatment. Because anima l studies suggest that IFN-alpha acts at opioid receptor sites, we sav e naltrexone, a long-acting opioid antagonist, to 9 patients who had h ematological malignancies and who suffered from IFN-alpha side effects . Seven of these patients experienced complete or moderate relief of s ide effects. Five of the patients rested before and during naltrexone treatment showed improvement of cognitive functioning. Two patients co uld not tolerate naltrexone side effects. This study suggests an inter vention against IFN-alpha side effects and provides support for the ro le of opioid receptor interaction in IFN-alpha neurotoxicity.