title: Combined use of interferon alpha-2, chlorambucil and prednisone in previously treated patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Results of a phase II study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate therapeutic activity and safety of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) in combination with chlorambucil (CLB) and prednisone (PDN), we treated 9 low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients with clinical evidence of relapsed (5 cases) or resistant (4 cases) disease with such an association.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all instances, treatment consisted of alpha-2a IFN administered by subcutaneous route thrice weekly for 3 weeks, CLB, 5 mg/day for 21 days, and PDN, 30 mg three times a week for 3 weeks. Cycles were repeated every 28 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A well-documented clinical response was observed in 6 (4 CRs+2 PRs) of 9 patients. Interestingly, 3 of 4 CRs were achieved in patients with histologically proven bone marrow involvement. Median duration of response was 18.5 months (range, 4-29 months). Myelosuppression was a common side effect. Two patients experienced grade 3 hematologic toxicity which did not preclude continuation of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As new purine analogues are not currently available, the combination of alpha-IFN, CLB, and PDN may represent, in our opinion, a valid therapy for patients not eligible for aggressive therapy such as autologous bone marrow transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedale Regionale A. Pugliese, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molica
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levato
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levato
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manfredi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002699:Chlorambucil; D011241:Prednisone