Clinical and immunologic effects of recombinant leukocyte A interferon in eight patients with advanced cancer.

The clinical and immunologic effects of a biosynthetic human leukocyte interferon, recombinant leukocyte A interferon (IFL-rA), are reported in eight patients with advanced cancer. Single escalating doses from 3 X 10(6) units to 198 X 10(6) units were given by intramuscular injection in a phase I study. Major toxic effects included pyrexia, fatigue, myalgia, and headache. Data on the effects of IFL-rA on lymphocyte subpopulations and peripheral blood mononuclear-cell surface beta 2-microglobulin are presented. Four of eight patients had objective tumor regression, indicating that further investigation of this biologically active material is warranted.