Preclinical and clinical studies of interferons and interferon inducers in breast cancer

Abstract

Preclinical and clinical studies suggest interferons and interferon inducers have antitumor activity for breast carcinoma. Observations include inhibition of growth of freshly derived and continuously passaged breast carcinoma cells in vitro, decreased tumor size and increased survival in spontaneous mouse mammary carcinoma, inhibition of growth of xenogeneic human breast carcinomas grown in nude mice, and reduction of measurable tumors in women. Since clinical doses and schedules have to date been largely empirically derived, additional studies will be required to define optimal clinical use. Furthermore, not all interferon types or subtypes may prove clinically effective. Therefore, use of interferons or interferon inducers in patients should remain restricted to controlled trials with well‐defined research objectives.

Influence of IFN-gamma and its receptors in human breast cancer

“…Interferons belong to a protein family involved in viral replication prevention, cell growth inhibition and cell differentiation modulation [ 1 ]. IFNγ was described as a 17 kDa peptide that is secreted by antigen activated lymphocytes and natural killer cells.…”

The cytostatic effects of α-interferon may be mediated by transforming growth factor-β

“…Interferon has clinical activity in some breast can¬ cer patients (Borden & Balkwill, 1984) and has been shown to influence oestrogen receptor expression in vitro (Van den Berg, Loohey, Lynch et al 1987) and in vivo (Pouillart, Palangie, Jouve et al 1982). How¬ ever, the mechanism underlying the direct anti-proliferative effect of interferon remains undefined.…”

Immunologic approaches to breast cancer treatment

“…Several hematologic and solid tumors have proved responsive to IFN-a, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, cutaneous Tcell lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, malignant melanoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Few clinical trials have examined IFN-a against breast cancer and demonstrated only minimal responses with considerable toxicity [44,45].…”