Abstract
Aims and Background
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.
Keywords
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