Low-dose "natural" alpha-interferon in B-cell derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
BACKGROUND
Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) was found to have a good antiproliferative effect in early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but recombinant alpha-IFN administration may induce serious side effects. Therefore low-dose "natural" IFN was evaluated in terms of efficacy and safety.


METHODS
Fifteen patients affected by stage A (according to Binet) B-CLL underwent the treatment: natural IFN 1 MU three times a week for 6 months.


RESULTS
Overall lymphocyte count decreased from 13,050 +/- 3,200 to 7,500 +/- 2,940 within 6 months. One patient did not respond to IFN therapy. No one complained of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Low dose "natural" alpha-IFN seems useful and well tolerated in CLL, but the potential curative role of IFN in CLL remains to be established.
Pozzato
G
G
Istituto di Patologia Medica, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Trieste, Italy.
Franzin
F
F
Moretti
M
M
Tulissi
P
P
Pecorari
P
P
Melato
M
M
Zacchi
T
T
Evangelisti
P
P
Campanacci
L
L
D000368:Aged; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha