title: Low-dose "natural" alpha-interferon in B-cell derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: 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.
authors: Istituto di Patologia Medica, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Trieste, Italy.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Pozzato
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Franzin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Moretti
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Tulissi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pecorari
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Melato
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Zacchi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Evangelisti
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Campanacci
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha