[Alpha interferon in therapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Interferon alpha is a new therapeutic option in malignant Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Favourable results have been achieved in low-grade malignant histologies. Objective responses have been reported in 39% of patients with nodular histology (mostly centrocytic-centroblastic according to the Kiel classification), most of them being partial remissions. Clinical studies suggest a dose-response relationship. Interferon alpha has also been combined with alkylating agents. The toxicity of the combination is subjectively and objectively well tolerable. Though combinations are very active with high response rates, an improvement of survival has not been shown. In other studies interferon alpha has been administered for maintenance after induction chemotherapy. Responses have been noted in only 16% of patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In early stages (mostly Binet stage A) the disease is more sensitive with a response rate of 73%. As the prognosis of these patients is very good, the relevance of the therapeutic response is not clear. The results of interferon alpha in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and mycosis fungoides are controversial. Based on pooled published data, the overall response rate is 44%. High-grade malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas have been treated with high doses of interferon alpha. The overall remission-rate is 14%. In most cases, remissions have been short.