Oral retinoid in combination with bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, prednisone and transfer factor in mycosis fungoides.

Oral retinoids seem to have been of great benefit in a non-randomized study on advanced mycosis fungoides using two different chemotherapy regimens, one with retinoid, the other without. Both groups also received a 3-drug chemotherapy with bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and prednisone. Complete remission including all signs of lymph-node involvement was found in 8 of 10 patients of the retinoid treated group, while none went into complete remission in the control group. All in the control group died between 3 and 12 months after therapy, whereas all but one in the retinoid treated group are alive. Other treatment differences between the groups were related to the use of transfer factor, topical treatment, and steroid administration. These differences make a final evaluation of the use of retinoids in mycosis fungoides difficult at the present stage. Further studies are needed.