Background: The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of th
e potential uses of adjuvant interferon (IFN) therapy for resected sol
id tumors at high risk for postsurgical relapse. Methods: A MEDLINE se
arch (1970-1994) of the English-language literature for original artic
les, reviews, and abstracts addressing IFN use in the adjuvant setting
together with the authors' collective experience formed the basis for
this review. Results: The use of adjuvant IFN-alpha has been studied
most extensively in conjunction with the treatment of melanoma. Fewer
data are available on IFN-alpha use for the treatment of other solid t
umors. In melanoma, there is evidence from Intergroup trials (Eastern
Cooperative Oncology Group and World Health Organization) that IFN-alp
ha 2a given for 1-3 years prolongs the interval to relapse and may hav
e a survival benefit. Trials of adjuvant IFN, with and without chemoth
erapy, are ongoing in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and colore
ctal adenocarcinoma. Its value in the treatment of osteosarcoma and hi
gh-grade astrocytoma is unknown. Conclusions: The use of IFN in the ad
juvant setting is an exciting area of medical and surgical oncology an
d has the potential to prolong the time to relapse and to increase sur
vival of patients with melanoma. Its role in the adjuvant therapy of o
ther solid tumors remains to be defined.