A phase II study on escalating interferon doses in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

Twenty-four patients with advanced and therapy-resistant ovarian carcinoma were treated with escalating daily doses of human leukocyte interferon (IFN). Doses ranged from 3 X 10(6) to 27 X 10(6) IU/day. Fatigue, fever, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia were the limiting factors in the escalation of doses. Of nine patients treated for at least 2 months, there were two patients with partial remissions and six with stable disease. Ascites production present in four patients became reduced in three. The level of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood lymphocytes increased following initiation of IFN therapy. We conclude that IFN-alpha can exert an antitumor effect in some patients with ovarian carcinoma that have previously failed on other therapy regimens.