Interferon-α and zidovudine for relapsed/refractory adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma: case reports of Japanese patients

Abstract

Combination therapy with interferon-α and zidovudine (IFN/AZT) has been regarded as standard care for acute and indolent (i.e., chronic and smouldering) ATL based on reports involving a limited number of patients. This treatment approach has not been evaluated in Japan, a major endemic area of this disease in the world. This is the first Japanese report of IFN/AZT for ATL. It is impossible to draw any definitive conclusion from this small study; however, IFN/AZT showed clear anti-ATL effects for refractory/relapsed ATL patients. This report would contribute for developing future ATL treatment in Japan.

Controversies in Targeted Therapy of Adult T Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: ON Target or OFF Target Effects?

“…Finally, first-line AZT/IFN therapy in chronic- and smoldering-type ATL resulted in 100% OS at a median follow-up time of five years [84]. These are very promising results specifically when compared to the results reported in a recently published Japanese study in which the five-year OS was as low as 47% in patients with indolent ATL that were managed by a watchful waiting policy until disease progression or by chemotherapy [85]. …”