Interferons - expanding therapeutic roles

Article Abstract:

Patient testing of recombinant (genetically engineered) interferon alfa-2 began in the early 1980s. Interferon is a protein with antiviral activity that may protect against cancer and viral diseases. An American Cancer Society initiative established the antitumor activity of interferon produced from white blood cells, and biotechnology companies became interested in producing recombinant interferon. Interferon was considered a miracle drug, but patient testing did not produce miracle results. Interferons may be involved in the regulation of more physiological processes than any other human protein. Researchers are investigating the use of interferons in combination with other types of treatment for metastatic cancer. The first human protein found to be effective for the treatment of cancer was interferon alfa-2. This discovery has lead to research using other human proteins to treat cancer. Interferon alfa 2a may be an effective treatment for life-threatening hemangiomas (benign tumors) in infants.

Editorial

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Comparison of a standard regimen (CHOP) with three intensive chemotherapy regimens for advances non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Article Abstract:

The CHOP chemotherapy regimen may be more effective than other regimens for the treatment of patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The CHOP chemotherapy regimen involves treatment with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. Among 899 patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 255 were treated with CHOP, 223 with m-BACOD, 233 with ProMACE-CytaBOM and 218 with MACOP-B. After three years, an estimated 52% percent of the patients were alive and 44% were alive without disease. The estimated overall survival rate at three years was 54% in patients in the CHOP group, compared with 50% in patients in the ProMACE-CytaBOM and MACOP-B groups and 52% in those in the m-BACOD group. One percent of the patients in the CHOP group suffered a fatal toxic reaction, compared with 3% of the patients in the ProMACE-CytaBOM group, 5% in the m-BACOD group and 6% in the MACOP-B group.

Usage, Chemotherapy

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Interferon alfa combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Article Abstract:

Recombinant (genetically engineered) interferon alfa, or alpha interferon, in combination with a four-drug chemotherapy regimen may be an effective treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymph and reticuloendothelial systems. Among 249 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent treatment every four weeks for eight to 10 cycles, 122 were treated with interferon alfa and a four-drug chemotherapy regimen (I-COPA) and 127 were treated with the four-drug chemotherapy regimen alone (COPA). Eight-six percent of the patients in each of the groups responded to treatment. Patients in the I-COPA experienced a significantly longer response to treatment than those in the COPA group. Seventy-one percent of the patients in the I-COPA group were alive without disease at two years, compared with 46% of those in the COPA group.

Antineoplastic agents

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