POTENTIAL USES OF INTERFERON ALPHA-2 AS ADJUVANT THERAPY IN CANCER

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.