LACK OF EFFICACY OF INTERFERON-ALPHA THERAPY IN RECURRENT, ADVANCED CERVICAL-CANCER

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with 65-95% of in situ or ear ly invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix, A multiinstitution al, prospective phase II clinical trial was initiated by the Eastern C ooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) to study the activity of IFN-alpha 2b in women with metastatic or locally recurrent cervix cancer. The acti vity of IFN-alpha 2b was correlated with the presence of HPV as measur ed by Southern blot hybridization or polymerase chain reaction techniq ues in 17 patients, All patients had failed prior definitive therapy w ith surgery, radiation; and chemotherapy. IFN-alpha 2b was administere d at 10 MU/m(2) subcutaneously three times per week, Among 31 patients enrolled, 3 achieved a clinical response to treatment, Tumor was acce ssible for biopsy in 17 patients. The presence of HPV was assayed by S outhern blot hybridization (2 of 17) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology (15 of 17), Of the 17 assays, 16 were informative, HP V was detected in 5 of 16 patients, Of 5 HPV-positive women, 2 respond ed to treatment, versus 1 of 11 HPV-negative women, thus not permittin g reliable statistical analysis, It is concluded that IFN-alpha 2b has only minimal activity against advanced, recurrent cervical cancer.