title: The role of recombinant interferon alfa-2a in the therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
abstract: Maximally tolerated doses of interferon alfa-2a, 50 X 10(6) U/m2 administered intramuscularly (IM) 3 times weekly, were given to 20 patients with advanced stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) to determine the efficacy and toxicity of this therapy. All patients were heavily pretreated and had failed standard therapies. Objective remissions were noted in 45% of the patients, including two patients who achieved complete remissions and seven patients who had partial remissions. The median duration of response was 5.5 months, with responses lasting a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of more than 3 years. Responses in excess of 2 years occurred in three of the nine responding patients. These results were achieved with moderate toxicities. The dose-limiting toxicity was a flu-like syndrome consisting of malaise, anorexia, weight loss, and falling performance status. Toxicity was observed in all patients but was always alleviated by dose reduction. Patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who received the same therapy had a similar objective response rate (54%) and showed the same toxicities. These trials were followed by an ongoing trial using the same dose of interferon in a different schedule given for 12 weeks followed by a dose escalation to 100 X 10(6) U/m2. Three partial responses were observed in the first 13 patients on this trial treatment. Other studies examining lower dose interferon compared to the 50 X 10(6) U/m2 are in progress. This study establishes interferon alfa-2a as a treatment of choice for patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphomas refractory to chemotherapy and other standard therapies. Trials combining interferon with other standard treatments and the use of interferon in earlier stages of disease are needed.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy*; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins