TREATMENT OF METASTATIC CARCINOID-TUMORS WITH ALPHA-INTERFERON

Objective: Interferon has been proposed in treatment of metastatic car cinoid tumours with varied results. Method: Five patients with metasta tic carcinoid rumours were treated for 1 year with rIFN alpha 2b at a dose of 5 MU. three times a week during the first month and 10 MU. thr ee times a week during the following months. Carcinoid syndrome was pr esent in all cases. Results: Clinical response with improvement of dia rrhoea and flushs was obtained in all cases. Urinary excretion of 5 HI AA and blood serotonin were reduced in 2/5 and 4/5 patients respective ly. IFN treatment led to a stabilization of the metastatic tumour in a ll cases. Recurrence of symptoms was observed within three months foll owing the end of the IFN treatment. Conclusion: These findings confirm the contribution of IFN in the treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumo urs.