Effectiveness of interferon alfa-2a combined with phototherapy for mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of combined topical therapy and systemic interferon alfa-2a in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and the Sézary syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Between December 1987 and April 1993, 39 patients with all stages of MF and SS were treated with combined phototherapy and systemic interferon alfa-2a as part of two institutional studies. The initial phase I study of 15 patients established the maximum-tolerated dose of interferon and has been previously reported. Subsequently, 24 patients have been entered onto a phase II trial. Long-term follow-up data are provided for both studies.


RESULTS
The median follow-up duration for the entire cohort is 28 months. Patients with all stages of disease were enrolled (stage IB, n = 14; IIA, n = 5; IIB, n = 6; III, n = 8; IVA, n = 5; IVB, n = 1). Thirty-four patients had received previous therapy. Overall, 36 of 39 patients achieved a complete response (CR; 62%) or partial response (28%) to therapy. The median response duration is 28 months (range, 1 to 64). Twenty-nine of 39 patients are alive, with a median survival duration of 62 months (range, 1 to 66).


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon alfa-2a combined with phototherapy is an effective, safe, durable therapy for MF and SS.
Kuzel
T M
TM
Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.
Roenigk
H H
HH
Samuelson
E
E
Herrmann
J J
JJ
Hurria
A
A
Rademaker
A W
AW
Rosen
S T
ST
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins