Summary
Eleven patients ranging in age from 52 to 80 years, undergoing treatment for cancer with various preparations of interferon received neurobehavioral evaluations after experiencing unexpectedly severe organic mental disorders. The reactions ranged from delirium to extrapyramidal symptoms, mania, and neurasthenia with catatonic episodes. Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain disclosed unsuspected pre-existing neurologic abnormalities in all patients, including cerebral atrophy (6/11), brain metastases (4/11), and evidence of head injury incurred 40 years earlier (l/11). These findings suggest that cancer patients with pre-existing neurologic dysfunctions are at increased risk for severe interferon neurotoxicity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams F, Quesada JR, Gutterman JU: Neuropsychiatric manifestations of human leukocyte interferon therapy in patients with cancer. JAMA 252:938–941, 1984
Quesada JR, Hawkins M, Horning S, Alexanian R, Borden E, Merigan T, Adams F, Gutterman JU: A collaborative phase I–II study of recombinant DNA-produced leukocyte interferon (clone A) in metastatic breast cancer, malignant lymphoma and multiple meyloma. The American Journal of Medicine 77:427–432, 1984
Rohatiner AZS, Prior PF, Burton AC, Smith AT, Balkwill FR, Lister TA: Central nervous system toxicity of interferon. Br J Cancr 47:419–422, 1983
Mattson K, Niiranen A, Iiavanainen M, Farkkila M, Bergstrom L, HolstiLR: Neurotoxicity of interferon. Cancer Treatment Reports 67:958–961, 1983
Suter CC, Westmoreland BF, Sharbrough FW Hermann RB: Electroencephalographic abnormalities in interferon encephalopathy: a preliminary report. Mayo Clin Proc 59:847–850, 1984
Adams F, Larson D, Goepfert H: Does the diagnosis of depression in head and neck cancer mask organic brain disease? Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 93:618–624, 1984
Obbens EAMT, Feun LG, Leavens ME, Savaraj N, Stewart DJ, Gutterman JU: Phase I clinical trial of intralesional or intraventricular leukocyte interferon for intracranial malignancies. Journal of Neuro-Oncology 3:61–67, 1985
Bernsen PLJA, Wong-Chung RE, Janssen JThP: Neuralgic amyotrophy and polyradiculopathy during interferon therapy. Lancet 1:50, 1985
Adams R, Victor M: Abnormalities of movement and posture due to disease of the extrapyramidal motor system. In: Principles of Neurology. Chapter 3. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977, pp. 40–61
Cummings JL, Benson DF: Subcortical dementias in the extrapyramidal disorders. In: Dementia a clinical approach. Chapter 4. Stoneham: Butterworth Publishers, 1983, pp. 73–124
Rosvold HE: The frontal lobe system: cortical-subcortical interrelationships. Acta Neurobiol Exp 32:439–460, 1972
Iiavanainen M, Laaksonen R, Niemi M-L, Farkkila M, Bergstrom L, Mattson K, Niiranen A, Cantell K: Memory and psychomotor impairment following high-dose interferon treatment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand 72:475–480, 1985
Fent K, Zbinden G: Toxicity of interferon and interleukin. TIPS 8:100–105, 1987
Blalock JE, Smith EM: Human leukocyte interferon: potent endorphin-like opioid activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 101:472–478, 1981
Cantell K, Pulkkinen E, Elosuo R, Suominen J: Effect of interferon on severe psychiatric diseases. Annals of Clinical Research 12:131–132, 1980
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adams, F., Fernandez, F. & Mavligit, G. Interferon-induced organic mental disorders associated with unsuspected pre-existing neurologic abnormalities. J Neuro-Oncol 6, 355–359 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177432
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177432