Regression of a Great Abdominal Desmoid Tumor by Interferon α

Antiangiogenic Treatment of Mesenteric Desmoid Tumors With Toremifene and Interferon Alfa-2b: Report of Two Cases

“…Despite their histologically benign appearance and negligible metastatic potential, desmoid tumors may exhibit an infiltrative and invasive behavior, becoming clinically significant, the result of pressure effects on vital structures. 2,3 Current treatment strategies rely on resection, 3 irradiation, 4,5 or medications to slow growth or induce tumor regression with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (sulindac, 6,7 indomethacin 7 ), interferon alfa-2b, 8,9 selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs; tamoxifen, toremifene), 1,6,7,10 and chemotherapy (doxorubicin, dacarbazine, and carboplatin; 11,12 methotrexate and vinblastine 13 ). These approaches have yielded inconsistent outcomes; additionally, surgery may stimulate regrowth of desmoid tumors.…”

IFN-β Signaling Positively Regulates Tumorigenesis in Aggressive Fibromatosis, Potentially by Modulating Mesenchymal Progenitors

“…Such a function can explain the disappointing results of some clinical trials of IFN despite suggestive in vitro data. Treatment of aggressive fibromatosis tumors with IFN has been reported in isolated cases (47)(48)(49)(50) with variable results. Our data show disparate roles for IFN signaling in aggressive fibromatosis, a finding which explains the variable clinical results in these case reports.…”

Treatment of extra-abdominal desmoid tumors with interferon-alpha with or without tretinoin

“…The regression of a great abdominal desmoid tumor by IFN-␣ [39] and long-term regression of a recurrent mesenteric desmoid tumor after IFN-␥ therapy have been reported [11]. Furthermore, in vitro investigations and animal experimental data suggest an antiproliferative effect of both IFN-␣ and retinoic acid on fibroblasts [6,7].…”