title: alpha Interferon treatment of essential thrombocythaemia and other myeloproliferative disorders with excessive thrombocytosis.
abstract: The effect of recombinant interferon alfa-2b on platelet count, thrombocytosis-associated symptoms and marrow fibrosis was studied in 18 patients with myeloproliferative diseases and associated thrombocytosis (nine with essential thrombocythaemia, three with polycythaemia vera, three with myelofibrosis and three with chronic myelogenous leukaemia). A reduction of the platelet count below 600 x 10(9)/L was achieved in 94%, and below 400 x 10(9)/L in 77% of the patients within 8 to 330 days of treatment. The selective thrombocytosis-reducing effect of alpha interferon was maintained for long periods of time in most patients without serious side effects. Thrombocytosis-associated symptoms were relieved once the number of platelets was reduced to near normal levels. Marrow reticulin content was found to be reduced after treatment in two of the seven patients studied. Side effects of alpha interferon were flu-like symptoms, which usually subsided within 7 days of treatment.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens Medical School, Laikon General Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yataganas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meletis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plata
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viniou
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deligiannis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsekoura
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Voscaridou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boussiotis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rombos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vayopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000628:therapy*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins