Intraperitoneal recombinant interferon gamma in ovarian cancer patients with residual disease at second-look laparotomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) as second-line treatment in patients with persistent disease at second-look laparotomy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-γ) as second-line treatment in patients with persistent disease at second-look laparotomy. Patients and Methods: One hundred eight patients with residual disease at second-look laparotomy were treated with rIFN-γ (20 x 106 IU/m2) administered intraperitoneally (IP) twice a week for 3 to 4 months. In the absence of clinically assessable disease, response to rIFN-γ was assessed with a third-look laparotomy. Results: Of 98 assessable patients, 31 (32%) achieved a surgically documented response, including 23 patients (23%) with a complete response (CR). The age and size of residual tumor were significant prognostic factors for the response to rIFN-γ. A 41% CR rate was observed in 41 patients younger than 60 years and with residual tumor less than 2 cm. The probability of response was independent of previous response to first-line chemotherapy. The median duration of res...