Recombinant alpha-2B interferon treatment for childhood T--lymphoblastic disease in relapse. A Pediatric Oncology Group Phase II study.
BACKGROUND
Children with chemotherapy refractory T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma were given alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of this biologic response modifier.


METHODS
Twenty children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-cell ALL) in marrow relapse and one patient with mediastinal recurrence of T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-cell NHL) were enrolled. All patients had failed at least two previous multiagent drug trials. Recombinant alpha-IFN was given at 30 million U/M2/dose intravenously or subcutaneously for 10 doses over 14 days, followed by 3 doses per week until disease progression occurred.


RESULTS
One child had a complete response (< 5% blasts) and three patients a partial response (5-25% blasts) in their bone marrow. All patients eventually showed signs of progressive disease. Significant toxicities included cardiac hypofunction in two patients and profound lethargy in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha-IFN is tolerated in children with T-cell ALL and T-cell NHL and has activity against chemotherapy resistant disease.
Lauer
S J
SJ
Midwest Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin.
Ochs
J
J
Pollock
B H
BH
Buchanan
G R
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D014481:United States
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins