PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - MIRVIS, EITAN
AU  - MANDAIR, DALVINDER
AU  - GARCIA-HERNANDEZ, JORGE
AU  - MOHMADUVESH, MULLAN
AU  - TOUMPANAKIS, CHRISTOS
AU  - CAPLIN, MARTYN
TI  - Role of Interferon-alpha in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Retrospective Study
DP  - 2014 Nov 01
TA  - Anticancer Research
PG  - 6601--6607
VI  - 34
IP  - 11
4099  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/34/11/6601.short
4100  - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/34/11/6601.full
SO  - Anticancer Res2014 Nov 01; 34
AB  - Background/Aim: Interferon alpha (IFNα) is used sparingly in the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) due to toxicity and perceived limited efficacy. Other medical therapeutic options include somatostatin analogues and molecular-targeted agents, as well as chemotherapy and radionuclide targeted-therapy. The aim of the present study was to perform a retrospective analysis of patients treated with IFNα. Patients and Methods: Patients were identified from the NET database. Radiological, biochemical and symptomatic response were assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS), adverse events and toxicities were recorded. Results: Thirty-five patients were treated with IFNα, with a mean age of 60.1 (range=38-85) years; eight patients (23%) withdrew before 3 months, one (3%) had complete response; there was one partial response; 25 patients (71%) had at least three months of stable disease. The median PFS was 25 months. Conclusion: IFNα demonstrated efficacy and was reasonably tolerated. IFNα may still have a role in small-volume diffuse disease, in syndromic patients where there is resistance to somatostatin analogue, or as a bridge to other therapies.