Original Article

Bone Marrow Transplantation (2006) 38, 345–349. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705458

Autografting

Interferon-alpha after autologous stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma

D Petropoulos1, L L Worth1, C A Mullen1,2, S Lockhart3, M Choroszy1 and K W Chan1,4

  1. 1Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
  3. 3Children's Hospital of Austin, Austin, TX, USA
  4. 4Texas Transplant Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA

Correspondence: Dr KW Chan, Texas Transplant Institute, 8201 Ewing Halsell, Suite 280, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. E-mail: kawah.chan@mhshealth.com

Received 18 April 2006; Revised 9 June 2006; Accepted 15 June 2006.

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Abstract

Thirteen children with refractory or recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) received high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT). After hematologic recovery, 10 patients were given interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) as adjuvant therapy, starting at a dose of 0.5 times 106 U/m2 subcutaneously, three times a week. The dose was escalated as tolerated. Patients were treated for a median of 12 (4–24) months. Transient myelosuppression was the most common toxicity and led to temporary treatment interruption in five patients. The IFN-alpha dose was increased in nine patients, to a median final dose of 3.5 times 106 U/m2/week. With a median follow-up of 67 (range 25–114) months, nine of the 10 patients are alive and in continuous remission. One patient relapsed. Three patients were not treated with IFN-alpha initially, two because of rapidly progressive disease. One patient received IFN-alpha for treatment of relapse after transplant, and is alive in remission 10 years later. IFN-alpha has activity in children with advanced HL, and prolonged, low-dose treatment given after ASCT can be tolerated. Its therapeutic effect as a post-transplant adjuvant warrants further investigation.

Keywords:

Hodgkin's lymphoma, autologous stem cell transplant, interferon-alpha, children

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