Human Interferon—β Therapy for Cerebral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

A 5-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy presented with recurrent cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and were treated with intravenous administration of human fibroblast interferon (HuIFN-β) which was continued as outpatient maintenance therapy. Both patients showed a partial response and were still alive 14 months and 2 years after diagnosis. Our results suggest that HuIFN-β is an effective therapy for PNET, and can be used as long-term maintenance therapy without serious side effects.