Intratumor application of human leukocyte interferon-α in patients with malignant brain tumors

Seventeen patients with malignant brain tumors have been treated by local application of human leukocyte interferon-alpha (HLI-alpha) in addition to radiation; eight of these patients also received chemotherapy. Twelve patients were treated for primary tumor and five for recurrence. After partial removal (or biopsy), an Ommaya reservoir was placed with its catheter in the tumor cavity, and 3 Gy was given to the whole brain in 2 weeks with a local boost of 1.5 Gy in 1 week. During radiation therapy HLI-alpha (2 x 10(6) U) was given through the Ommaya reservoir two or three times per week. Vincristine (2 mg) was given during radiation therapy weekly and in combination with cisplatin (60-80 mg) every other week. Four patients are alive and well 11, 14, 15, and 30 months after treatment and 5 have died without tumor. The fact that the patients did not survive despite the effective local tumor control suggests that, at least in some of them, degenerative changes in the brain tissue as a result of the combined treatment might have been the cause of death.