title: Interferon-α and zidovudine for relapsed/refractory adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma: case reports of Japanese patients.
abstract: Combination therapy with interferon-α and zidovudine (IFN/AZT) has been regarded as standard care for acute and indolent (i.e., chronic and smouldering) ATL based on reports involving a limited number of patients. This treatment approach has not been evaluated in Japan, a major endemic area of this disease in the world. This is the first Japanese report of IFN/AZT for ATL. It is impossible to draw any definitive conclusion from this small study; however, IFN/AZT showed clear anti-ATL effects for refractory/relapsed ATL patients. This report would contribute for developing future ATL treatment in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Hematology and Infectious Disease, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1 Nanakuma Jonan, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. kenjiishitsuka@fukuoka-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishitsuka
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katsuya
authors.forename: Tomona
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toyota
authors.forename: Masanao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishizu
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kunami
authors.forename: Mana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takamatsu
authors.forename: Masanobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujikane
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Shuuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007564:Japan; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D015215:Zidovudine