SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF INFERIOR VENA CAVA EXTENSION OF RENAL CELL CARCINOMA WITH CONTINUOUS INTRA-ARTERIAL INFUSION OF INTERFERON

It is a fact that we are hardly available an effective drug for advanced renal cancer, and the efficacy rate is as low less than 10% even if multiple drug regimens were included. We have experienced a case of renal cancer in which interferon sustained infusion therapy was succeeded in reducing an inferior vena cava extension due to tumor cells. A 50-year-old female presented with right upper abdominal tumor. X-ray examinations (CT scan, MRI, Echo, and Angiogrphy) show the right renal cancer with a large involvement of vena cava, which was estimated as Stage IIIA. To reduce the tumor embolus of inferior vena cava, the catheter was inserted to the renal artery, and preoperative chemotherapy was performed. In combination with our modified VAU therapy, consisting of intra-arterial local injection of vinblastin+ lipiodol, and adriamycin every 4 weeks and daily oral administration of UFT, r-interferon-α-2a was given continuously using infusion pump. After 3 months the tumor thrombus markedly reduced, and the reponse rate resulted in 70%. The right nephrectomy was performed with partial resection of inferior vena cava easily and safely. Side effects observed by the interferon sustained infusion regimen were as the same level as those by the intra-muscular administration, which were transient and mild. These findings have indicated that the intraarterial infusion of interferon-α is a useful and safe method for renal cancer.