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Phase II Study of Interferon Gamma in Malignant Carcinoid Tumors (E9292): A Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group

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Abstract

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of treatment with gamma interferon (IFNγ) in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumor. Patients and methods: 51 patients were enrolled on this Phase II Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) study. Seventy five percent of them had hormonally active tumors. Treatment consisted of IFNγ subcutaneously at a daily dose of 0.1 mg/m2. Patents were evaluated for toxicity weekly for the first month and monthly thereafter; response was determined radiologically every 8 weeks. Results: Patients received treatment with IFNγ for a median of 17.9 weeks (range 2–175). Toxicity was generally mild and expected: 61% experienced noninfected fever and 21% developed granulocytopenia. Three patients (6%) had a partial response; there were no complete responses. Median time to progression was 5.5 months (95% confidence interval 3.9–11.1). The 1-year progression free rate was 28% (13.4–43.4%). Median survival was 42 months, with a 1-year survival rate of 67% (53.3–80%). Discussion: This Phase II study demonstrated that therapy with IFNγ in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumor was well-tolerated, but did not produce significant antitumor effects. The overall results were somewhat comparable to those previously seen with alpha interferons as well as cytotoxic drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA

    Keith Stuart

  2. Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

    Donna E. Levy

  3. Billings Oncology Associates, Billings, Montana

    Tom Anderson

  4. SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY

    Constantine A. Axiotis

  5. Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center MBCCOP, Bronx, NY

    Janice P. Dutcher

  6. St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI

    Andrew Eisenberg

  7. New England Medical Center, Boston, MA

    John K. Erban

  8. Northwestern University, Chicago, ILL

    Al Bowen Benson III

Authors
  1. Keith Stuart
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  2. Donna E. Levy
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  3. Tom Anderson
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  4. Constantine A. Axiotis
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  5. Janice P. Dutcher
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  6. Andrew Eisenberg
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  7. John K. Erban
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  8. Al Bowen Benson III
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Stuart, K., Levy, D.E., Anderson, T. et al. Phase II Study of Interferon Gamma in Malignant Carcinoid Tumors (E9292): A Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Invest New Drugs 22, 75–81 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DRUG.0000006177.46798.1f

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DRUG.0000006177.46798.1f

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