A novel chemotherapeutic regimen (interferon alfa, zidovudine, and etretinate) for adult T-cell lymphoma resulting in rapid tumor destruction

Abstract

We report a case of adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL), which was unresponsive to conventional systemic chemotherapy. Combination therapy with interferon alfa and zidovudine was initiated because recent evidence has suggested efficacy of such treatment in ATLL.1,2 However, these drugs had only a limited effect on tumor growth. The subsequent addition to this regimen of a retinoid (etretinate, the trimethylmethoxyphenol analog of retinoic acid ethyl ester) was associated with rapid and marked regression of the patient’s cutaneous tumors.