Side Effects and Toxicity of Interferon in the Treatment of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Abstract

Twenty-six patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis have received interferon administered according to one or more of five experimental protocols currently ongoing or completed at the University of Iowa. Short-term side effects following interferon administration were common and included fever, headache, chills, fatigue, myalgias, and nausea. Two patients experienced neurotoxicity manifested as somnolence, confusion, or petit mal type or grand mal type seizures. Preliminary data show evidence for some growth retardation in patients receiving long-term interferon therapy. Laboratory evidence of toxicity in the form of decreased WBC, RBC, and platelet counts occurred in five patients, and increased liver enzymes occurred in 16 patients. Neither cardiovascular nor renal toxicity was noted.