RECOMBINANT ALPHA-2B INTERFERON TREATMENT FOR CHILDHOOD T-LYMPHOBLASTIC DISEASE IN RELAPSE - A PEDIATRIC-ONCOLOGY-GROUP PHASE-II STUDY

Background. Children with chemotherapy refractory T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma were given alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of this biologic response modifier. Methods . Twenty children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-cell ALL ) in marrow relapse and one patient with mediastinal recurrence of T-c ell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-cell NHL) were enrolled. All patients ha d failed at least two previous multiagent drug trials. Recombinant (al pha-IFN was given at 30 million U/M(2)/dose intravenously or subcutane ously for 10 doses over 14 days, followed by 3 doses per week until di sease progression occurred. Results. One child had a complete response (<5% blasts) and three patients a partial response (5-25% blasts) in their bone marrow. All patients eventually showed signs of progressive disease. Significant toxicities included cardiac hypofunction in two patients and profound lethargy in two patients. Conclusions. alpha-IFN is tolerated in children with T-cell ALL and T-cell NHL and has activ ity against chemotherapy resistant disease.