{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The efficacy of long-term psoralen plus ultraviolet A and low-dose interferon-a combination therapy in mycosis fungoides: A literature review.
{Author}: Şanlı H;Yıldızhan İK;Gündüz K;Akay BN;
{Journal}: Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed
{Volume}: 40
{Issue}: 4
{Year}: 2024 Jul
{Factor}: 3.254
{DOI}: 10.1111/phpp.12991
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Interferon (IFN)-a is often used in combination with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) refractory to skin-targeted therapies in early or advanced stages. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of combined PUVA and low-dose IFN-α-2a therapy in patients with early- and advanced-stage MF.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Sixty-eight patients who received a combination of PUVA twice or thrice a week and INF-a 3 MU thrice a week for at least 3 months were reviewed retrospectively. The treatment response was evaluated as complete remission (CR), partial remission, stable disease, or progression.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>At the initiation, the majority of patients (66.2%) had early-stage disease. In 27.9% of cases, this was the initial treatment administered following the diagnosis of MF. The median duration of combination therapy was 11 months. Complete remission was achieved in 45.6% of the patients with an overall response rate of 60.3%. The mean duration of response was 5 months. Complete remission was statistically significantly higher in early-stage patients (p < .05). No statistically significant correlation was observed between CR and gender, histopathological features, or laboratory parameters. In patients with CR, 80% experienced relapse, significantly higher in early-stage patients (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in disease-free survival between early and advanced stages (p > .05).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The study results indicated that PUVA + low-dose INF-a combination therapy was more effective in the early stage than in the advanced stage. Additionally, there was a high relapse rate after the cessation of treatment in patients who achieved CR.