Evaluation of recombinant human interleukin-12 in patients with recurrent or refractory ovarian cancer: a gynecologic oncology group study.

Objective. The goal of this study was to estimate the antitumor activity and toxicity of recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) in patients with recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. From December 1997 to March 1999, patients with recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer were entered on a Gynecologic Oncology Group phase II study of intravenous rhIL-12. All patients had measurable disease, had a performance status of 0-2, and had failed first-line platinum-based chemotherapy regimen. Eligible patients received rhIL-12, 250 ng/kg IV bolus, as a single dose on Day 1 followed by a 2-week rest period, with subsequent cycles administered daily for 5 days followed by a 16-day rest period per cycle, until disease progression or adverse effects prohibited further therapy. Results. Twenty-eight patients were entered and evaluable for toxicity, while 26 were evaluable for response. The median age was 59.5 years (range: 45-77). The median number of cycles was 2 (range: 1-9). There were no complete responders; however, one patient (3.8%) was a partial responder and 13 patients (50%) had stable disease. Grade 4 myelotoxicity occurred in 21% of patients. Two patients experienced capillary leak syndrome: one grade 2 and one grade 4. Conclusion. As a single agent, rhIL-12 is tolerable and shows a low response rate in recurrent epithelial cancer with measurable disease. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.