[Clinical efficacy of recombinant human leukocyte A interferon (rIFN-alpha A) on malignant tumors of the urogenital tract].

A cooperative study was carried out in 32 institutions throughout the country to evaluate the clinical efficacy of recombinant human leukocyte A interferon (rIFN-alpha A, Ro 22-8181) on malignant tumors of the urogenital tract. The responses were evaluated according to the "Criteria for the Evaluation of Clinical Effects of Cancer Chemotherapy on Solid Tumor" proposed by Koyama and Saito. Out of 269 cases which were examined in the present study, 138 cases were evaluable. Among 108 cases with renal cell carcinoma, efficacy was observed in 15 cases; complete response (CR) in 2 cases and partial response (PR) in 13 cases, indicating an efficacy rate of 13.9%. PR was obtained in 1 case out of 14 with bladder cancer and 1 case out of 6 with tumors of the renal pelvis and ureter. Main subjective and objective adverse reactions observed were fever, malaise, anorexia and nausea and/or vomiting. Laboratory test abnormalities consisted of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and elevation of GOT X GPT. All of these disappeared with discontinuation of rIFN-alpha A or after administration of its therapeutic dose.