Maintenance therapy with interferon alfa 2b in patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma

Rituximab as consolidation therapy did not improve outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at complete response after dose-dense chemotherapy (CHOP-14)

The authors started a clinical trial to assess the efficacy and toxicity of rituximab (R) as consolidation in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with poor prognostic factors, who were in complete response (CR) after dose-dense chemotherapy (CHOP-14). Four hundred sixty-five untreated patients, with advanced stages (III and IV), older (median age >60 years old), and high clinical risk, were treated with dose-dense CHOP-14 (cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m(2), i.v., day 1; vincristine 2 mg, i.v., standard dose, day 1; epirubicin 120 mg/m(2), i.v., day 1; and prednisone 60 mg/m(2), p.o., days 1-5) every 14 days for six cycles. If CR was achieved, the patients were allocated to receive R (375 mg/m(2), days 1, 8, 15, and 22) at 3 and 9 months after chemotherapy. Three hundred twenty-five patients achieved CR (70%) and were allocated to receive R (151 patients) or not (174 patients). Actuarial curves at 5 years showed that progression-free survival (PFS) was 51% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 44%-58%) in the R group and 53% (95% CI: 47%-59%) in the observation group (p=0.8). Overall survival (OS) was 65% (95% CI: 58%-71%) and 66% (95% CI: 59%-72%), respectively (p=0.78). Late toxicities were more frequent in the R group. The authors showed that the use of R as a consolidation treatment was not useful to improve PFS and OS and toxicity secondary to R was frequent. They did not recommend the use of R as consolidation in this patient setting.

Maintenance Therapy with Interferon-α 2b, Cyclophosphamide, and Prednisone in Aggressive Diffuse Large Cell Lymphoma

Maintenance therapy in patients with aggressive malignant lymphoma using biological modifiers remains uncertain. We conducted a controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of interferon-alpha 2b, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone as maintenance therapy in patients with aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphomas in complete remission after aggressive chemotherapy. In an intent-to-treat analysis, 169 patients were eligible for this study; the end points were event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). With a median follow-up of 49.3 months, no statistical differences were observed and actuarial curves at 5 years showed that EFS was 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 63-79%) for patients who received maintenance compared to 63% (95% CI, 59-71%) for patients in control group (p = 0.05). No statistical differences were observed in OS between maintenance arm: 84% (95% CI, 78-89%) and control group 83% (95% CI, 77-88%) in control group (p = 0.2). All patients received the maintenance therapy as planned and in time, thus dose intensity was considered 1.0 in all cases. Acute toxicity was mild, and no delay or suspension of treatment was necessary. Late toxicity was not evident until now. We conclude that use of maintenance therapy combining interferon-alpha 2b, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone is not useful in patients with aggressive lymphoma if they had been treated with aggressive combined chemotherapy.

Effectiveness of interferon-alfa and mid-cycle chemotherapy added to an anthracycline-based regimen in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Interferon-alfa in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating certain types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (1). However, there is no published data on upfront induction treatment of aggressive NHL with IFN-alfa containing regimens. Studies have also shown that one can overcome regrowth resistance by administering mid-cycle agents which slow tumor proliferation between courses of cytotoxic therapy (2). Based on this, we treated 32 consecutive patients between 1/93 and 9/96 with a regimen containing cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2, and teniposide 60 mg/m2 IV on day 1 with prednisone 100 mg PO given on days 1-5. On day 15, patients received vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (2 mg max.) and bleomycin 10 units/m2 IV. Interferon-alfa-2b 5x10(6) units/m2 SQ was administered on days 22-26. The median age was 55 (range 26-83), M:F ratio was 2.5:1, and the median International Prognostic Index was 2. 38% of patients had stages I-II and 62% had stages III-IV disease. Fifty-nine percent of the patients achieved a complete response, 22% a partial response, and 19% had progressive disease. The overall survival (OS) was 81% and the progression free survival (PFS) was 56% at 4.3 years. There were no severe (grade IV) hematologic, flu-like, GI and infectious toxicities from IFN-alpha. Leukopenia was the main severe toxicity related to the chemotherapy regimen (days 1-15), but not IFN-alpha. Severe infection secondary to the chemotherapy regimen occurred in one patient. Interferon-alfa-2b and mid-cycle chemotherapy added to an anthracycline based regimen is effective induction treatment for patients with aggressive NHL. The OS and PFS using this regimen, based on regrowth resistance, appears to be at least as or more effective than CHOP therapy for this group of patients. Severe toxicities were rare.

A prospective randomized study of Chop versus Chop plus alpha-2B interferon in patients with intermediate and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the International Oncology Study Group NHL1 Study

The addition of a brief alpha interferon regimen to each CHOP induction cycle, plus one year of alpha interferon thrice weekly maintenance therapy, has no early effect on response rates or survival in patients with Intermediate or High grade cell NHL.

BACKGROUND

The CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin. Vincristine, Prednisone) regimen is the most widely used first-line therapy for patients with Intermediate or High Grade (IG/HG) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Alpha 2b interferon (INF) enhances response rates and improves survival in low-grade NHL. The International Oncology Study Group (IOSG) conducted a prospective randomized study comparing CHOP alone or combined with INF in patients with IG/HG-NHL. The primary study aim was to compare the objective response rates in these patient cohorts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of measurable NHL of International Working Formulation (IWF) groups D to H histology were randomized to receive CHOP alone or CHOP with 5Mu INF s.c. for 5 days on days 22 to 26 of each 28 day cycle with INF 5 million units (Mu) given three times per week subcutaneously for 52 weeks in those patients who responded to CHOP plus INF.

RESULTS

The overall response rates were equivalent in both groups: CHOP alone (214 patients) 81% (complete 55%, partial 26%); CHOP plus INF (221 patients) 80% (complete 54%, partial 26%). At 36 months, the actuarial survival rate was equivalent in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no apparent early advantage in terms of response or survival conferred by adding the study INF regimen to CHOP therapy for patients with IG/HG-NHL.

In vitro hematopoiesis in patients with malignant lymphoma during active disease and at complete clinical remission after chemotherapy

Malignant lymphomas are neoplastic diseases of lymphoid cells, which usually originate in the lymph nodes. During the last two decades, significant progress has been made in the characterization of chromosomal and molecular alterations in these malignancies. To date, however, the composition and function of the hematopoietic system in this group of hematological disorders is still not fully understood. In the present study, we have determined the progenitor cell content in 10 patients with diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL) and characterized the proliferation of these cells in long-term marrow cultures. We have also addressed some issues regarding the composition and function of the hematopoietic microenvironment in this malignancy. All the patients included in this study showed normal hematological parameters in peripheral blood, both before and after chemotherapy, however, significant hematopoietic alterations were consistently observed. As compared to normal subjects, lymphoma patients showed a 35% reduction in progenitor cell numbers, including myeloid, erythroid and multipotent progenitors. The in vitro proliferation of these cells was also deficient, since their levels in long-term marrow cultures were significantly lower than those observed in normal bone marrow cultures. Fibroblastic progenitors were reduced by >50% and this correlated with a deficient adherent cell layer development in culture. A reduction was also seen in the levels in culture supernatant of the stimulatory cytokines Stem Cell Factor and Interleukin-6. Interestingly, all the hematopoietic alterations mentioned above were still present in patients at complete clinical remission after chemotherapy. Thus, in the present study we have demonstrated significant in vitro deficiencies in the composition and function of the hematopoietic system in patients with diffuse large-cell lymphoma, both during active disease and at the time of complete clinical remission.

The management of adult aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphona include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphona, and different peripheral T-cell lymphomas. An international prognostic index has been developed including age, serum LDH, performance status, and extranodal involvement. For localized aggressive lymphoma, the preferred treatment is 3-4 CHOP and radiation therapy, with a cure rate of 70-80%. For disseminated aggressive lymphoma, current regimens have a cure rate of less than 40%. Innovative strategies, including dose escalation, autologus stem cell support, new drugs, and immunotherapy are being explored to improve these results.

Interferon as maintenance therapy in refractory malignant lymphoma

Patients with refractory malignant lymphoma (RML) have a poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy, as less than 20% remain alive and free of disease after 5 years. The use of myeloablative chemotherapy followed by BMT has improved the complete remission (CR) rate. Nevertheless, relapse rates remain unchanged, and only a few patients remain alive and free of disease for more than 3 years. For this reason, we began a prospective randomized clinical trial to determine if IFN-alpha2B (5.0 MU three times a week for 1 year) can improve the prognosis in RML. Ninety-six patients with high or high-intermediate clinical risk RML and in CR after intensive chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive IFN as maintenance therapy. A median follow-up of 48.1 months, the time to treatment failure and survival were similar in both groups. Toxicity secondary to IFN administration was mild, and all patients received the planned doses of IFN. We conclude that IFN is not recommended at this dose and schedule as maintenance therapy in patients with RML who achieve CR. Different therapeutic approaches may be developed to improve outcomes for these patients.

Maintenance therapy with interferon alfa 2b in Hodgkin's disease

We performed a randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy and toxicity of interferon alfa 2b (IFN) as maintenance therapy in patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease in complete remission (CR) after conventional chemotherapy. One hundred and thirty-five patients (stage IIIB-IV B) were initially treated with EBVD (epirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine). IF CR was achieved they were randomly assigned to receive either maintenance therapy with IFN 5.0 MU three times a week for one year or no further treatment (control group). Clinical and laboratory characteristics at diagnosis were quite similar in both groups. After a median follow-up of 74.3 months (range 49 to 108), 61 out of 68 patients (91%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 76% to 97%) remain in first complete remission in the IFN-treated group compared to 38 out of 67 (58%; 95% CI: 49% to 71%) in the control group (p<.01). Overall survival was also better in the IFN treated group: 62 patients (92%; 95% CI: 82% to 97%) are alive free of disease at 7-years compared to 40 patients (67%, 95%: 55% to 76%) in the control group (p<.01). Toxicity secondary to IFN administration was mild and no dose modification was necessary during treatment. All patients received the planned dose of IFN. This was not an intent-to treat analysis. IFN administration as maintenance therapy was appears to be the only cause of improvement in outcome in these patients. We feel that IFN should be considered as maintenance therapy in patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease because this treatment improves the final outcome without the excessive toxicities of more aggressive therapeutic approaches such as bone marrow transplantation during first CR. We hope that IFN will be considered in future randomized clinical trials in order to define it's role in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease.

The role of interferon as maintenance therapy in malignant lymphoma

Interferon (IFN) is a biologic response modifier that has been employed in the treatment of malignant lymphomas with various degrees of success. In patients with low-grade lymphomas, IFN alone induced complete remissions in 17-62% of the patients. When used in combination with chemotherapy, prolongation of remission duration and survival has been reported. The best results have been reported when IFN was used as maintenance therapy in patients with minimal residual disease or complete remission. When used as maintenance treatment toxicity was mild with less than 5% of the patients discontinuing IFN treatment, and late side-effects have not been reported. The results obtained with IFN in patients with intermediate and high-grade lymphomas are disappointing. Complete remissions were observed in less than 10% of the patients and duration of remission and survival did not exceed 12 months. In contrast, promising results have been reported when IFN was used as maintenance treatment following bone marrow transplantation. In conclusion, IFN should be considered as part of the therapeutic process in patients with low-grade lymphomas, and in particular as a maintenance treatment following induction chemotherapy.

Interferon alpha 2b as maintenance therapy in low grade malignant lymphoma improves duration of remission and survival

We assessed the efficacy and toxicity of interferon alpha 2b (IFN) as maintenance therapy in patients with low grade malignant lymphoma. Between March 1986 and December 1989, 98 patients with low-grade malignant lymphoma in complete remission after conventional chemotherapy were randomly assigned to received IFN, 5.0 MU three times a week for one year, as maintenance therapy (n = 48), or to receive no treatment (control group, n = 50). In March 1994, the median duration of response had not yet been reached in the patients treated with IFN compared to 46 months in the control group. At 9-years 62% of the patients in the IFN arm remain in first complete remission compared to only 25% in the control group (p <.001). In addition, the median duration of survival has not yet been reached in either the IFN arm compared to 74 months in the control group (p <.001). Quality of life was excellent in both groups and severe side effects secondary to IFN treatment were not observed. All patients completed the planned dose of IFN. We conclude that IFN as maintenance therapy in low-grade malignant lymphoma is an excellent therapeutic option because it improves the duration of remission and survival without producing severe side effects or reducing the quality of life.

Biological modifiers (etretinate (changed from etetrinate) and alfa 2a) in the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of biological modifiers in combination etetrinate, 0.8 mg/kg/day, po and interferon alfa 2a 9.0 MU, three times at week) in the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTLC) we began a clinical study on 12 heavily treated patients. After 1 year on treatment 10/12 patients (83%) achieved complete response. Two patients were considered failures with disease progression. After a median follow-up of 3 years, seven patients (56%) remained in complete remission. Toxicity was mild. All patients received 93% of the planned dose of etetrinate and interferon. We feel that biological modifiers, as etetrinate and interferons, are agents with limited hematological toxicity even in higher doses. The combination of two agents, with different mechanisms of action, could improve the outcome in patients with refractory CTCL. Controlled trials are necessary to define the roles of this type of therapy as first line of treatment.

Interferon-alpha for induction and maintenance in multiple myeloma: results of two multicenter randomized trials and summary of other studies

BACKGROUND

Interferon (IFN) treatment trials in multiple myeloma have yielded discordant results regarding response rates, maintenance duration, and survival times. Further randomized trials and global evaluations of available data are urgently needed for clarification.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

256 patients participated in a randomized trial, 125 on IFN + VMCP, and 131 on VMCP alone. 100 patients were randomized to IFN maintenance (n = 46) or were untreated controls (n = 54). Global evaluations are based on 1,518 patients in induction and 924 in maintenance trials.

RESULTS

The induction trial demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.05) lower rate of progressive disease under IFN + VMCP (10.6%) than under VMCP (22.9%), but this benefit was limited to stage I or II patients. Median progression-free survival was longer in the IFN + VMCP arm (23.2 months vs. 15.8 months); median overall survival did not differ significantly (38.9 vs. 30.2 months). The IFN maintenance treatment trial showed significantly superior results in the IFN arm versus controls (median maintenance duration: 17.8 months and 8.2 months (p < 0.01), survival: 50.6 and 34.4 months (p < 0.05), respectively). Previous IFN treatment increased the benefits of IFN maintenance therapy. Adverse effects of IFN during induction were hematologic toxicity, fever, and infections, requiring dose reductions. Toxic effects of IFN maintenance treatment were mild. Global evaluations of randomized trials showed small but significant benefits of combined IFN induction therapy and significantly prolonged maintenance duration and survival under IFN maintenance.

CONCLUSIONS

Presently available data support the use of IFN maintenance treatment because it significantly prolongs maintenance duration and survival. IFN added to induction chemotherapy resulted in minor improvements at the expense of increased toxicity, highlighting the need for better induction regimens.

Adjuvant radiotherapy to sites of previous bulky disease in patients stage IV diffuse large cell lymphoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of adjuvant radiotherapy to sites of previous bulky disease in patients with advanced diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) who were in complete remission after chemotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Two-hundred and eighteen patients were initially treated with combined chemotherapy CEOP-bleo (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, prednisone, bleomycin) alternating with DAC (dexamethasone, cytosine arabinoside, and cisplatinum). One hundred and fifty-five patients achieved complete remission. Eighty-eight patients with initial bulky disease were randomly assigned to either received (43 patients) or not received radiotherapy (45 patients). Dose ranged from 40-50 Gy.

RESULTS

The median time to treatment failure has not been reached in patients who received radiotherapy. At 5 years 72% of the patients treated with the combined therapy remain alive disease in free compared to only 35% in the control group. Projected survival at 5 years was better in the patients with adjuvant radiotherapy: 81% compared to 55% in the patients who received no radiotherapy. Toxicity was mild and manageable. No lethal toxicities were observed.

CONCLUSION

This treatment sequence produced durable control disease in patients with disseminated DLCL and bulky disease with acceptable toxicity. The role of radiation therapy in patients with disseminated DLCL will be confirmed in large clinical trials, but we felt that this sequence of treatment could be useful in patients with this clinical condition.