Treatment of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with recombinant leukocyte A interferon

Abstract We report the results of a trial of recombinant leukocyte A interferon in previously treated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were no longer responsive to chemotherapy. Patients received recombinant leukocyte A interferon (50X106 U per square meter of body-surface area) by intramuscular injection three times weekly for three months or longer. Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study, and 37 were evaluated for a response. Thirteen of 24 (54 per cent) evaluable patients with low-histologic-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had objective responses (nine partial responses and four histologically confirmed complete responses). Two of six (33 per cent) with intermediate-grade lymphoma responded (one partially and one completely), and one of seven (14 per cent) with high-grade lymphoma had a partial response. The median duration of responses was eight months. Four of the five complete responders have continued to receive maintenance interferon and have been in complete remission for 3, 7, 9, an...