A phase II trial of high-dose human lymphoblastoid alpha interferon in patients with advanced renal carcinoma.

Seventeen patients with metastatic renal cancer were treated with human lymphoblastoid cell-derived alpha interferon, 30 X 10(6) U/m2, which was given intravenously for 3 consecutive days of each week for 6 weeks. On the days of interferon treatment only, patients received prednisone, 15 mg t.i.d., in order to minimize toxicity. Of the 16 evaluable patients, one had a minor regression of disease, eight had stable metastatic disease, and seven progressed. Constitutional symptoms, such as fever, anorexia, and fatigue, were common. Debilitating degrees of malaise were a treatment-limiting factor.