[Treatment of metastasized carcinoid tumor of the ileum and cecum with recombinant alpha-2b interferon].

Seven patients with progressive ileal or caecal carcinoid tumors and liver metastases were treated with human recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN alfa-2b) at a dosage of 2-4 x 10(6) U daily or every other day subcutaneously. Six patients had symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome. No change of tumor size lasting 4 to 40+ months (median, 18 months) was noted in 6 patients, and 1 patient had hepatic tumor progression. A decrease in urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid by more than 50% lasting 2-11 months (median, 4) was observed in 5 patients. Four patients were completely or partially relieved of flushing, diarrhea, obstruction or abdominal pain. The side-effects were negligible with the exception of mild fever, headache and confusion only during the first days of therapy. Treatment with IFN alfa-2b offers good palliation to patients with disseminated ileal or caecal carcinoid tumor and carcinoid syndrome.