Combined treatment with low-dose interferon plus vinblastine is associatedwith less toxicity than conventional interferon monotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
N. Tsavaris et al., Combined treatment with low-dose interferon plus vinblastine is associatedwith less toxicity than conventional interferon monotherapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, J INTERF CY, 20(8), 2000, pp. 685-690
The outcome of treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma is disappointing.
In interferon (IFN)-treated patients, the high incidence of adverse effect
s causes many patients to withdraw from treatment. This 12-week randomized
study compared the incidence of toxicity associated with high-dose IFN mono
therapy (15 X 10(6) U thrice weekly) and treatment with the combination of
low-dose IFN (5 X 10(6) U thrice meekly) and 6 mg/m(2) vinblastine (VBL) ev
ery 14 days in 100 consecutive patients. There was no significant differenc
e in response rate between treatment arms (42% IFN vs. 34% IFN + VBL) or be
tween subgroups (by tumor location), Combined treatment was associated with
a significantly lower incidence of fever, fatigue, and weight loss but wit
h a higher incidence of leukopenia. There was no significant difference in
the incidence of other events. More patients treated with IFN monotherapy r
equired bed rest, and overall treatment costs were 60% higher than for comb
ined treatment. It is concluded that combined treatment with low-dose IFN a
nd VBL, without loss of short-term efficacy, is better tolerated and less e
xpensive than high-dose IFN monotherapy.