In order to study the tolerability, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of interferon-α2b (Intron-A), 20 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder (Ta, T1) were given intravesically a low dose (9 million IU) of the drug mixed with 30 ml physiological saline for 8 weeks, starting 1 week after transurethral resection (TUR). Follow-up included urine cytology, ultrasonography of the abdomen and cystourethroscopy. Eleven patients (55%) had no signs of recurrence during a follow-up of 6–32 months (mean duration 24 months). Four patients (20%) had superficial tumor recurrence and 5 patients (25%) showed recurrence with progression to invasive tumors. Tolerability was very good, while toxicity in the form of mild flu-like symptoms was observed in only 3 patients. This pilot study showed that, at a low dose, intravesical interferon therapy can significantly lower the recurrence rate in superficial TCC of the urinary bladder with good tolerance and practically no side effects.

Keywords:
Interferon, Superficial, Transitional cell
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© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
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