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- Tiensuu Janson, Eva, et al.
(author)
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Octreotide and interferon alfa : a new combination for the treatment of malignant carcinoid tumours
- 1992
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In: European Journal of Cancer. - 0959-8049 .- 1879-0852. ; 28A:10, s. 1647-1650
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 24 patients with malignant carcinoid tumours received octreotide and interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). All the patients initially received octreotide 50-100 micrograms, twice daily. When progressive symptoms or increasing biochemical markers were observed, the daily dose was raised to a median 300 micrograms. If the initial dose proved ineffective or if no improvement was seen after escalation, IFN-alpha was added (median 9 MU subcutaneously per week). After the addition of IFN-alpha, 17 of the 22 patients (77%) with elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid showed a significant (> 50%) reduction. Only 1 patient progressed and 4 had continuously stable biochemical disease. No significant reduction in tumour size was noted; in 5 patients, the tumour continued to grow despite decreasing hormone levels. 18 patients had carcinoid syndrome when IFN-alpha was added in 10 (56%) symptoms ameliorated. Thus, the addition of IFN-alpha is beneficial for patients with malignant carcinoid tumours that progress and/or who do not respond to octreotide.
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