S. Toma et al., EFFICACY OF RECOMBINANT ALPHA-INTERFERON-2A AND 13-CIS-RETINOIC ACID IN THE TREATMENT OF SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA, Annals of oncology, 5(5), 1994, pp. 463-465
Background: Recent in vitro and in vivo studies hypothesize a synergis
tic effect of 13-cis-Retinoic Acid (13cRA) and recombinant alpha-IFN 2
a (alpha-IFN) in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Pati
ents and methods: 35 patients with SqCC in several sites were treated
with 13cRA (0.6-1 mg/kg/day) combined with alpha-IFN (6 x 10(6) I.U./d
ay), continuously for 3 months. Results: We observed an objective resp
onse in 41% of cases (13/32 evaluable patients) with 5 complete and 8
partial responses.Toxicity was mild and always rapidly reversible, wit
h no haematological side effects. Conclusions: These preliminary data
confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the combination of 13cRA
and alpha-IFN in the therapy of SqCC, also in pre-treated patients, wi
th acceptable toxicity and good compliance.