Toxicities of Human Recombinant Interferon-α2 in Patients with Advanced Prostate Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Nine patients with hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma were treated with subcutaneous injection of recombinant human interferon-α2 (rHuIFN-α2), 5-10 χ 106 U/m2, three times a week. One patient had a mixed clinical response with reduction of bone pain. The study was closed due to intolerable grade III and IV toxicities including weight loss (8/9), fatigue/malaise (7/9), central nervous system toxicity (4/9), leukopenia (3/9), and uncontrollable nausea and vomiting (2/9). These toxicities resulted in deterioration of performance status. It is concluded that rHuIFN-α2, at least at the dose and schedule studied, should not be used for the treatment of patients with hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma.