title: Continuous, low-dose therapy with interferon-alpha for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: A patient with HIV-related immune thrombocytopenic purpura (HIV-ITP) had a rapid rise in platelet count when treated with interferon-alpha 2b, 3 million units three times weekly. There were no significant toxicities with therapy. His platelet count fell to pretreatment levels when therapy was discontinued, then increased again when therapy was reinstituted at 1.5 million units three times weekly. Interferon-alpha 2b, administered continuously at low doses, is well tolerated, effective, and possibly less immunosuppressive than other treatments for HIV-ITP.
authors.affiliation: AIDS/Oncology Division, San Francisco General Hospital 94110.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Northfelt
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Abrams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins