Vinblastine and interferon-alpha-2a regimen in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Thirteen patients with histologically proven advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were treated with vinblastine (Velbe, Eli Lilly, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy) and interferon-alpha-2a (Roferon-A, Roche, Milan). Eleven out of 13 patients were evaluable. Eighteen percent of patients had partial response, 46% stable disease (SD), and 36% progressive disease (PD). The mean survival of responders was 228+ days, whereas the patients showing SD and PD had a mean survival of 154+ and 107+ days respectively. Toxicity, including influenza-like syndrome, fever, neurological and gastrointestinal side effects, was generally mild. However, medication with paracetamol was required in 82% of cases. Our small study confirms that VBL and IFN-2a regimen is moderately active in RCC.