IMR Press / EJGO / Volume 19 / Issue 1 / pii/1998108

European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research

Interferon-α2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix: a pilot study

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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Clinical Investigation, Section of Gynecologic Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
Eur. J. Gynaecol. Oncol. 1998, 19(1), 35–38;
Published: 10 February 1998
Abstract

Standard treatment with radiotherapy for locally advanced cancer of the uterine cervix has a response rate of less than 50%. Recently, concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy was introduced into the clinic but is value remains controversial. Interferon and retinoic acid possess antiproliferative, immunomodulatory, and antineoplastic activities. The combination of inter­feron and retinoic acid has significant activity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. These compounds may also potentiate radiation cytotoxicity. This pilot study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the combination of interferon-α2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy. Patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the cervix were treated at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Fifteen patients received the combination of interferon-a2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy. Twelve patients treated in previous years with comparable radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy served as historical controls. Results: (1) Interferon-a2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy resulted in a 47% response rate (33% complete remissions) while patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy had a 42% response rate (17% complete remissions) (2). Major toxicity of inter­feron-α2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy was fever (60%). There was no grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Conclusion: Systemic interferon-α2a, 13-cis-retinoic acid and radiotherapy is an active and tolerable therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. Randomized studies are required to define the role of bioradiotherapy in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer.

Keywords
Interferon-α2a
13-cis-retinoic acid
Radiotherapy
Cervical cancer
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