Second-Line Therapy with Interferon-Alpha plus Vinblastine in Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Patients Progressed under Interleukin-2 Subcutaneous Immunotherapy

Abstract

Aims and background Interferon (IFN) ± vinblastine (VNB) has appeared to be effective as first–line therapy of metastatic renal cell cancer. This study was performed to establish the efficacy of IFN plus VNB in metastatic RCC previously treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2). Methods The study included 14 metastatic renal cell cancer patients who did not respond to IL-2 subcutaneous therapy or who relapsed after initial response or stable disease. IFN-alpha 2a was given subcutaneously at 3 million U thrice a week in association with VNB (0.1 mg/kg i.v. every 21 days) until progression or toxicity. Patients were considered as evaluable when they were treated for at least 1 month. Results Evaluable patients were 13/14. No patient had a complete response. Partial response was achieved in 2/13 (15%) patients. Stable disease was seen in 5/13 patients, and the last 6 progressed. Conclusions This study, by showing a tumor response rate comparable to that reported with first-line therapy, suggests that previous IL-2 immunotherapy does not influence negatively the efficacy of IFN + VNB in metastatic renal cell cancer.