Abstract
Interferon beta 6 million units per week was administered to a patient with an aggressive astrocytoma in the tectum that was resistant to cisplatin, etoposide, vinblastine, and the oral alkylating agent temozolomide. The tumor was immunopositive for O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Interferon beta caused the disappearance of the gadolinium-enhanced lesion in the tectum. Interferons have apoptotic and antiangiogenic effects on tumor cells, and the lesion's disappearance may have been induced by complexes of these effects. Administration of interferon beta might have a favorable effect on tectal gliomas that are immunopositive for MGMT and resistant to chemoradiotherapy including temozolomide.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
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Astrocytoma / drug therapy*
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Astrocytoma / enzymology
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Astrocytoma / pathology
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Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Brain Neoplasms / enzymology
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Brain Neoplasms / pathology
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Cisplatin / administration & dosage
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Contrast Media
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Dacarbazine / administration & dosage
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Dacarbazine / analogs & derivatives
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
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Etoposide / administration & dosage
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Female
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Gadolinium DTPA*
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Humans
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Injections, Intravenous
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Interferon-beta / administration & dosage*
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / genetics
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O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / metabolism
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Tectum Mesencephali / drug effects*
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Tectum Mesencephali / metabolism
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Tectum Mesencephali / pathology
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Temozolomide
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Treatment Outcome
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Vinblastine / administration & dosage
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Contrast Media
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Vinblastine
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Etoposide
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Interferon-beta
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Dacarbazine
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O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase
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Gadolinium DTPA
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Cisplatin
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Temozolomide