Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2001) 85, 29–35. doi:10.1054/bjoc.2001.1822 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 3 July 2001

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the role of interferon as initial and maintenance therapy in patients with follicular lymphoma

A Rohatiner1, J Radford2, D Deakin2, H Earl3, S B Love4, O Price1, A Wilson1 and T A Lister1

  1. 1ICRF Medical Oncology Unit, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, West Smithfield, EC1A 7BE
  2. 2Christie CRC Research Centre, Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 9BX
  3. 3Birmingham Oncology Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham, B18 7QH
  4. 4ICRF Medical Statistics Group, Institute of Health Sciences, Old Road, Oxford, Headington OX3 7LF

Received 1 December 2000; Revised 4 December 2000; Accepted 9 February 2001.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of interferon as initial and maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma. Between 1984 and 1994, 204 patients with newly diagnosed Stage III or Stage IV follicular lymphoma were randomized to receive either, Chlorambucil (CB): 10 mg daily for 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week interval, with 3 subsequent 2-week treatment periods at the same dose, separated by 2-week intervals, or, CB given concurrently with interferon (IFN). IFN was given at a dose of 3 times 106units thrice weekly, subcutaneously, throughout the 18-week treatment period. Responding patients were subsequently randomized to receive maintenance IFN at the dose and schedule described above, or to expectant management. The overall response rate was 161/204 (78%), complete remission being achieved in 24% of patients. Neither the addition of IFN to the initial treatment, nor the use of maintenance IFN influenced response rate, remission duration or survival. This study was undertaken to determine whether IFN, given in combination with, and then subsequent to, CB would alter the clinical course of patients with follicular lymphoma. Disappointingly, this objective was not achieved, no advantage having been demonstrated for the addition of IFN. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Keywords:

interferon, initial therapy, maintenance, follicular lymphoma

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