Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Oct 30:103:adv10306.
doi: 10.2340/actadv.v103.10306.

Use of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma: A Retrospective Case Collection

Janika Gosmann  1 , Rudolf Stadler  2 , Koen D Quint  3 , Ralf Gutzmer  1 , Maarten H Vermeer  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Use of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma: A Retrospective Case Collection

Janika Gosmann et al. Acta Derm Venereol. .

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome are rare and largely incurable types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with limited therapeutic options. In 1984 Bunn et al. reported that interferon alpha is an efficient monotherapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and 14 years later it was shown in a prospective, randomized trial that a combination of interferon alpha and psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA) is most efficient in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Since then interferon alpha as single agent or, most often, in combination with phototherapy and/or retinoids has been integrated as standard of care in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma guidelines worldwide. However, production of interferon alpha was discontinued recently worldwide and pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFNα) has been used as an alternative therapy. In contrast to numerous interferon alpha studies, only a few studies focusing on PEG-IFNα are available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective data collection to report on the efficacy, adverse events and therapy regimens of PEG-IFNα in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In 28 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treated in Germany and in the Netherlands, 36% of patients achieved complete remission, 36% partial remission and 29% stable disease. Eighteen percent of patients developed adverse events during therapy, which led to the discontinuation of PEG-IFNα therapy in 2 patients. The most common concomittant therapies were oral PUVA phototherapy and local radiotherapy. In conclusion, PEG-IFNα, especially in combination with skin-directed therapies, is an effective treatment option for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in clinical practice.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

JG received support for travel/meeting participation and honoraria from Recordati. RS: honoraria from 4SC, Abbvie, Galderma, Hoffmann La Roche Innate Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Kyowa Kirin International, LEO Pharma, miRagen Therapeutics, Novartis, Recordati, Takeda. RG: honoraria for advice and/or lectures (to person): Almirall, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Immunocore, Merck-Serono, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Roche, Sanofi, SUN Pharma, 4SC. Clinical study conduct (to institution): Array Pharma/Pfizer, BMS, Innate Pharma, IO Biotech, Merck-Serono, MSD, Novartis, Philogen, Pierre-Fabre, Roche, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma. Project support (to institution): Novartis, Amgen, MerckSerono, SUN Pharma, KyowaKirin, Almirall. Support for travel/meeting participation (to person): Pierre-Fabre, SUN pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim. MHV: Unrestricted grant from: Takeda, Kyowa Kirin International, honoraria from: 4SC, Abbvie, Galderma, Innate Pharma, Kyowa Kirin International, miRagen Therapeutics, Recordati, Taked. KDQ has no conflicts of interst to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Therapy combinations in the study cohort (n = 28 patients). PEG-IFN: pegylated interferon alpha-2a; PUVA: psoralen UVA therapy; UVB: ultraviolet B.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Therapy response in all patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN), in patients treated with a combination of PEG-IFN and psoralen UVA (PUVA), and in patients treated with a combination of PEG-IFN and local radiotherapy. ORR: overall response rate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Jawed SI, Myskowski PL, Horwitz S, Moskowitz A, Querfeld C. Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome): part II. Prognosis, management, and future directions. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014; 70: 240–242. - PubMed
    1. Bunn PA Jr, Foon KA, Ihde DC, Longo DL, Eddy J, Winkler CF, , et al. Recombinant leukocyte A interferon: an active agent in advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Ann Intern Med 1984; 101:484–487. - PubMed
    1. Trautinger F, Eder J, Assaf C, Bagot M, Cozzio A, Dummer R, et al. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer consensus recommendations for the treatment of mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome – Update 2017. Eur J Cancer 2017; 77: 57–74. - PubMed
    1. Willemze R, Hodak E, Zinzani PL, Specht L, Ladetto M; ESMO Guidelines Committee . Primary cutaneous lymphomas: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 2018; 29: iv30–iv40. - PubMed
    1. Gilson D, Whittaker SJ, Child FJ, Scarisbrick JJ, Illidge TM, Parry EJ, et al. British Association of Dermatologists and U.K. Cutaneous Lymphoma Group guidelines for the management of primary cutaneous lymphomas 2018. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180: 496–526. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms