Interferon α-2a in combination with cisplatin in the treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma

Abstract EN

Purpose : this study was planned to evaluate the objective response rate of Interferon α-2a in combination with cisplatin in treatment of newly diagnosed patients of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Patients and methods : Twenty-six patients with diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma were treated by im-munotherapy with interferon (IFN) in combination with chemotherapy (cisplatin).

Cisplatin was given at a dose of 60 mg/m2, day 2 and IFN α-2a (6MU/d, days 1-4) in a protocol of 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off followed by 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off.

In responders, IFN as maintenance was continued for a further of 6 months.

Six patients were stage II, seventeen stageIII and three stages IV according to the International Union against Cancer staging system.

Results: Nine patients (34.6 %) achieved an objective partial response ; thirteen (50 %) had stationary disease and the disease progressed in four (14.4 %).

All patients were assessed for toxicity.

Hematological toxicity was the most common, but was manageable followed by grade 1 renal toxicity.

Conclusion : the combination of interferon α-2a and cisplatin is still not the standard treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Furthur studies should be carried on to reach better response rates against this aggressive tumor that has an increasing incidence.