Interferon Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Hall G D, Brown J M, Coleman R E, Stead M, Metcalf K S, Peel K R, Poole C, Crawford M, Hancock B, Selby P J, Perren T J
Primary Institution: Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre in Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
Hypothesis
Subcutaneous interferon-alpha may act as an effective maintenance therapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and thus improve overall survival.
Conclusion
The study found that maintenance treatment with interferon did not improve overall or clinical event-free survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- The median overall survival in the interferon arm was 27.0 months.
- The median clinical event-free survival in the interferon arm was 10.3 months.
- No significant differences for interferon maintenance were identified in the analysis.
Takeaway
Doctors tested a medicine called interferon to help women with advanced ovarian cancer live longer after treatment, but it didn't work.
Methodology
Patients were randomised to receive either interferon-alpha or no maintenance treatment after chemotherapy.
Limitations
The study did not show any benefit for interferon maintenance therapy, and compliance with treatment was poor.
Participant Demographics
Patients had advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, with a median age of 58 years at diagnosis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.65
Confidence Interval
95% C.I.=0.82–1.38
Statistical Significance
p=0.65
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website