Introduction
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies, including Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sezary Syndrome (SS). Interferon alpha (IFN-α) has been a standard treatment for CTCL since 1984; however, data on pegylated interferons remain limited. This study aimed to describe treatment patterns and outcomes in patients receiving interferon therapy for CTCL.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted including 54 CTCL patients with complete data treated with interferon from 1990 to September 2025. Clinical characteristics were documented, and outcomes were measured as overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Results
Non-pegylated interferon treatment included interferon alfa-2b (N=14; MF=8, SS=6). Pegylated interferons included ropeginterferon alfa-2b (N=27; MF=23, SS=4) and peginterferon alfa-2a (N=13; MF=12, SS=1). Forty-six patients received interferon in combination with systemic therapies (bexarotene, Mogamulizumab, Liposomal Doxorubicin, ECP) or local treatments (phototherapy, or total skin radiation). Among those treated with non-pegylated interferon, 1 achieved a complete response, 5 partial responses, 6 stable disease, and 2 patients had progressive disease. Of the 40 patients receiving peg-interferon, 21 achieved partial responses, 10 had stable disease, 2 had progressive disease, and 7 lacked response assessment. A total of 40 patients were treated with pegylated interferon with a median PFS of 21 months whereas the median PFS of the 14 patients treated with non-pegylated interferon was 8.5 months. Additional models to understand the differences are pending.
Conclusion
The results of our study showed efficacy of pegylated interferon in advanced stage CTCL with tolerable side effects despite limited evidence and lack of trials for the pegylated formulation.
