Randomized study of chlorambucil (CB) compared to interferon (alfa-2b) combined with CB in low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an interim report of a randomized study. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cooperative Study Group

Eur J Cancer. 1991:27 Suppl 4:S31-3. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(91)90566-v.

Abstract

Alpha interferon has shown initial promise in the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), especially with the nodular form of the disease. The present study enrolled 70 NHL patients who received either chlorambucil (CB; 10 mg/day) or CB plus interferon alfa-2b (5 million units (MU)/m2 subcutaneously three times a week). Among 63 evaluable patients, similar response rates (62.1% and 64.7% respectively) were recorded for the treatment arms. In patients receiving no maintenance therapy, those who received interferon alfa-2b during the induction phase showed a favourable trend in terms of incidence of relapse compared to those who had received chlorambucil alone. During maintenance therapy with interferon alfa-2b, no significant differences in the occurrence of relapse have yet been seen compared to patients on no maintenance therapy. A longer observation period is needed to make a definitive conclusion about the usefulness of interferon maintenance therapy and to evaluate further the effects of the combined schedule of chlorambucil and interferon induction on the duration of remission.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chlorambucil / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / mortality
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Chlorambucil