ABSTRACT
Eighteen patients with solid tumours were treated with human recombinant interferon-gamma at escalating dose levels starting at 1 X 10(6) units/m2 per infusion and rising through 3 X 10(6), 6 X 10(6), 9 X 10(6) and 22 X 10(6) to a maximum of 110 X 10(6) units/m2 per infusion. The IV infusions were given three times a week over a 4-week period. Side effects were seen in all patients, but were mild except at the highest dose. Acute dose-related effects included pyrexia, tiredness, thirst, chills and rigors. Chronic dose-related effects included anorexia, lethargy, weakness, disorientation, a trace of proteinuria and minimal rises in liver enzymes. In addition, effects were observed which were not related to dose. These included headache, nausea and vomiting, backache, myalgia, flatulence and a mild, transient reduction in neutrophils and erythrocytes. At the highest dose level dose-limiting toxicity was observed, consisting in severe tiredness and anorexia, hypotension, disorientation and changes on the electrocardiograph. Overall, toxicity was similar to that seen with preparations of interferon-alpha, except that no tolerance to the effects of interferon-gamma was noted. We observed less hepatic and haematological toxicity, but also recorded flatulence, handcramps and electrocardiograph changes, which have not been reported with interferon-alpha. When given according to this regimen, doses of 22 X 10(6) units/m2 per infusion of recombinant interferon-gamma were generally well tolerated by the patients.
Subject(s)
Interferon-gamma/toxicity , Neoplasms/therapy , Recombinant Proteins/toxicity , Adult , Aged , Body Weight , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Fatigue/chemically induced , Female , Fever/chemically induced , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Male , Middle Aged , Tachycardia/chemically inducedABSTRACT
A case of acute nitrogen dioxide toxicity is described, together with its management and a review of the possible complications.
Subject(s)
Hobbies , Nitrogen Dioxide/poisoning , Numismatics , Pneumonia/chemically induced , Acute Disease , Aged , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Interferon-gamma/adverse effects , Thyroid Diseases/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
Recombinant interferon-gamma was given to patients with tumours by a six-hour intravenous infusion using a portable mini-pump, to assess the side-effects of the drug. At present, 11 patients have been treated; 2 adenocarcinoma of the ovary, 3 squamous carcinoma of the bronchus, 1 adenocarcinoma of the breast, 1 adenocarcinoma of the stomach, 1 Hodgkin's lymphoma, 1 case of two primaries, adenocarcinoma of the breast and ovary, and 1 adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. Two patients received 1 X 10(6) units/m2/infusion, four received 3 X 10(6) U/m2/inf., three received 6 X 10(6) U/m2/inf. and two received 9 X 10(6) U/m2/inf. Two further dose levels will be used in the future; 27 and 51 X 10(6) U/m2/inf. Three 6-hour infusions a week were given for a four week period. The major side-effects of gamma-interferon were dose-related pyrexia with rigors to which there was no tachyphylaxis, acute and chronic tiredness, nausea with or without vomiting, headache, backache and myalgia. There was also a dose-dependent immediate but mild and transient decrease in the total white cell count. All effects have been transient, and none have been severe. We have also noticed that intravenous infusions by mini-pumps are tolerated far better by the patients than conventional drip systems, and we feel mini-pumps are the ideal way to give intravenous infusions.
