Effectiveness and safety of interferon α-2a combined with phototherapy for patients with early-stage mycosis fungoides - a single-arm prospective study in 13 patients.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN) α-2a combined with phototherapy for early-stage MF. Thirteen patients with early-stage MF received subcutaneous injections of IFN α-2a at 3 million IU combined with phototherapy three times per week for 6 months. Treatment efficacy was measured by changes in body surface area (BSA) score and modified severity-weighted assessment tool (mSWAT) score at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Histopathologic examinations of skin lesions were performed before and after treatment. After 3 months of treatment, all 13 patients achieved a partial response, and BSA and mSWAT scores were significantly lower than those at baseline ( < 0.001). After 6 months, BSA and mSWAT scores were significantly lower than those at baseline ( < 0.001) and after 3 months ( < 0.05). Eleven patients achieved complete remission and two patients achieved a partial response (overall response rate, 100%). Histopathologic examination showed a significant decrease in the number of atypical lymphocytes in both epidermis and dermis. No severe adverse effects occurred. IFN α-2a in combination with phototherapy may be an effective and safe alternative modality for early-stage MF.