Isotretinoin Plus Interferon in Treating Patients With Recurrent Cancer

RATIONALE: Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development or recurrence of cancer. The use of isotretinoin may be an effective way to prevent cancer or stop cancer from growing. Interferon alfa may interfere with the growth of cancer cells. Combining isotretinoin and interferon may be an effective treatment for some recurrent cancers.

PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of interferon alfa plus isotretinoin in treating patients with recurrent cancer.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Cervical Cancer Bronchial Neoplasms Carcinoma Carcinoma, Bronchogenic Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Digestive System Diseases Digestive System Neoplasms Esophageal Cancer Esophageal Diseases Esophageal Neoplasms Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Female Genital Diseases, Male Genital Neoplasms, Female Genital Neoplasms, Male Head and Neck Cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms Lung Cancer Lung Diseases Lung Neoplasms Male Urogenital Diseases Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Neoplasms, Squamous Cell Non-melanomatous Skin Cancer Penile Cancer Penile Diseases Penile Neoplasms Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Neoplasms Skin Diseases Skin Neoplasms Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck Thoracic Neoplasms Urogenital Diseases Urogenital Neoplasms Uterine Cervical Diseases Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Uterine Diseases Uterine Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, California, United States

About this study

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the response rates to treatment with daily subcutaneous interferon alpha plus oral isotretinoin in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the following body sites: head and neck, cervix, skin, esophagus, lung, and penis. II. Determine the toxicities and side effects of this treatment.

OUTLINE: Nonrandomized study. Single-agent Chemotherapy with Biological Response Modifier Therapy. Isotretinoin, 13-CRA, NSC-329481; with Interferon alpha (Schering or Hoffmann-La Roche), IFN-A, NSC-377523 or NSC-367982.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: 14-50 patients per tumor category (and any other tumor location, if available) will be enrolled. If none of the first 14 patients in any tumor category responds, or if only 1/22, 2/30, 3/37, 4/44, or 5/50 respond, the treatment will be considered ineffective for that tumor type.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma that has failed standard local modalities for local disease and/or effective systemic therapy for metastatic disease, or for which other forms of systemic therapy have been refused Eligible sites include but are not limited to: Uterine cervix Head and neck Skin Esophagus Lung Penis Measurable or evaluable disease required Measurable disease defined as previously unirradiated disease reproducibly measurable in 2 dimensions by physical exam, x-ray, CT, MRI, or other radiologic procedure Documented progressive disease in a previously irradiated site is accepted as measurable Evaluable disease includes: Any visible radiologic disease not measurable in 2 perpendicular diameters Elevated squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) No active brain metastases Previously treated brain metastases that have responded to therapy do not exclude, but CNS disease is not considered measurable or evaluable

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000 Platelets at least 100,000 Hct at least 30% Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dl PT normal PTT normal Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dl Cardiovascular: No MI within 6 months No CHF requiring medication No arrhythmia requiring medication Pulmonary: Reasonable respiratory reserve required No requirement for supplemental oxygen No dyspnea at rest Other: No chronic underlying immunodeficiency disease No HIV positivity No pregnant patients (negative pregnancy test required) Adequate birth control required of fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concomitant immunosuppressive drugs, e.g., cyclosporin Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior systemic chemotherapy with recovery Endocrine therapy: No concomitant corticosteroids Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to measurable site unless disease progression is documented Surgery: Not specified

Treatment and study plan

recombinant interferon alfa

Biological

isotretinoin

Drug

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Other

Collaborators

Cancer Biotherapy Research Group

Registry information

Official study title

ALPHA INTERFERON AND CIS-RETINOIC ACID FOR THE TREATMENT OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS

Important dates

Study start: 1992
Primary completion: 1996
Study completion: 1999
First posted: Jul 26, 2004
Registry last updated: May 12, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed