title: Biological modifiers (etretinate (changed from etetrinate) and alfa 2a) in the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of biological modifiers in combination etetrinate, 0.8 mg/kg/day, po and interferon alfa 2a 9.0 MU, three times at week) in the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTLC) we began a clinical study on 12 heavily treated patients. After 1 year on treatment 10/12 patients (83%) achieved complete response. Two patients were considered failures with disease progression. After a median follow-up of 3 years, seven patients (56%) remained in complete remission. Toxicity was mild. All patients received 93% of the planned dose of etetrinate and interferon. We feel that biological modifiers, as etetrinate and interferons, are agents with limited hematological toxicity even in higher doses. The combination of two agents, with different mechanisms of action, could improve the outcome in patients with refractory CTCL. Controlled trials are necessary to define the roles of this type of therapy as first line of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center, México, D.F. Mexico.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avilés
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Díaz-Maqueo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005050:Etretinate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005050:Etretinate