Interferon alfa-2a in the treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 395 - 407
• Main Authors: Olsen, Elise A., Rosen, Steven T., Vollmer, Robin T., Variakojis, Daina, Roenigk, Henry H., Diab, Nagwa, Zeffren, Jacob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.03.1989; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon Type I - therapeutic use; Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage; Interferon-alpha - adverse effects; Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use; Lymphoma - diagnosis; Lymphoma - therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prognosis; Random Allocation; Recombinant Proteins; Skin - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - therapy; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; T-Lymphocytes; Human; Chemotherapy; Skin disease; Cutaneous hematologic disease; Treatment; Alpha interferon; T-Lymphocyte; Tolerance; Controlled therapeutic trial; Hemopathy; Skin; Lymphoma
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(89)70049-9

Twenty-two patients with Stages la to IVa cutaneous T cell lymphoma were entered into a controlled trial of interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A). Patients initially received either 3 million IU interferon alfa-2a, or their dosage was escalated to 36 million IU intramuscularly daily for a 10-week induction period. At the end of induction, 14/22 (64%) of patients had an objective antitumor response: three patients had a complete response, ten patients had a partial response (≥50% resolution of clinical disease), and one patient had a minor response. Responders included those with Stages la to IVa cutaneous T cell lymphoma, and remissions have lasted at least 4 to 27.5 months. Three patients progressed from a partial to complete response with further treatment, for an overall complete response rate of 27%. Acute flu-like side effects were generally minor and transient. Malaise/fatigue, depression, anorexia, and weight loss were common chronic dose-related side effects and the most frequent reasons for dose reduction or discontinuation of drug. Leukopenia was the most common laboratory side effect and was also dose-related. Recombinant human leukocyte interferon alfa-2a is an effective and well-tolerated single-agent therapy for early and advanced cutaneous T cell lymphoma.