Bexarotene and interferon-alpha combination therapy in a patient affected by relapsing anaplastic large cell lymphoma with cutaneous involvement.

Author(s): Ardigo M, Marulli GC, Cota C, Mastroianni A, Berardesca E

Affiliation(s): San Gallicano Dermatological Institute-IRCCS, Rome, Italy. ardigo@ifo.it

Publication date & source: 2007-02, J Drugs Dermatol., 6(2):216-9.

Publication type: Case Reports

A 74-year-old man presented with relapsing systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with cutaneous involvement who had a third recurrence of cutaneous lesions associated with inguinal lymphonodes enlargement. Due to severe worsening of general conditions, treatment with low dose bexarotene associated with interferon-aalphawas initiated. Four months later, skin nodules disappeared with reduction of lymphonodes size. Two months after stopping therapy, lymphonodal relapse of the lymphoma was seen; however, cutaneous lesions were still in complete remission. Association of low dose bexarotene with interferon-xalphaseems to represent a possible alternative therapy for relapsing systemic ALCL presenting as prevalent cutaneous involvement in patients with severe worsening of general conditions. In our case, this protocol was unable to maintain a longer disease free survival in comparison with the 2 previous polychemotherapy cycles. Further extended studies are required in order to define the possible rule of this combination therapy in relapsing systemic ALCL.