[Novel treatment modalities in cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Biologic response modifiers]

Biologic response modifiers. Biologic response modifiers such as IFN-alpha, retinoids and extracorporeal photopheresis have been widely used in the treatment of cutaneous lymphoma. The novel treatment modalities like cytokine therapies, monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins have been used only in limited number of patients with therapy refractory diseases, in advanced stages. The treatment responses of novel cytokine therapies, IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-12, are encouraging. Anti- CD52 monoclonal antibody treatment resulted in complete or partial remission in both mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, however serious infectious complications hinder the wide-range usage. DAB 389IL-2 fusion protein-consisting of the toxic portion of diphtheria toxin and the IL-2 sequence has been used for advanced stages of CTCL. RXR retinoids are effective treatment for both early and advanced stages, in form of monotherapy or in combination treatment.