Acute infections in interferon-treated patients with osteosarcoma: preliminary report of a comparative study.

The incidence of acute infections in eight patients with osteosarcoma who are receiving interferon regularly is currently being compared with the incidence among their family members. Observations thus far indicate that the patients treated with interferon are less frequently and less severely ill than their untreated family contacts. The study is continuing, and the patients will also be observed after discontinuation of interferon treatment. Sera are regularly frozen for future viral serologic tests. The preliminary clinical data indicate that therapy with exogenous interferon may afford protection against common acute infections.