Effects of recombinant human interleukin-3 in aplastic anemia.
In a phase I/II study, nine patients with aplastic anemia were treated with recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhIL-3) to assess the toxicity and biologic effects of this multipotential hematopoietic growth factor. Doses ranging from 250 micrograms/m2 to 500 micrograms/m2 were administered as subcutaneous bolus injections daily for 15 days. An increase in platelet counts from 1,000/microL to 31,000/microL was induced by rhIL-3 in one patient, and an increase in reticulocyte counts by more than 10,000/microL in four patients. The blood leukocyte counts temporarily increased in eight patients 1.5- to 3.3-fold (median, 1.8-fold), mainly due to an increase in the number of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. In two patients, bone marrow cellularity increased from 7% to 33% and from 10% to 80%, respectively, but without resulting in a substantial improvement of peripheral blood counts. Mild side effects (headache and flushing) were observed in some patients, while low-grade fever occurred in all patients. Transient thrombocytopenia necessitating discontinuation of rhIL-3 treatment occurred in one patient. In conclusion, rhIL-3 can stimulate hematopoiesis in patients with aplastic anemia; however, no lasting effects were obtained.
Department of Hematology, University of Frankfurt, West Germany.
A
A
Ganser
A
A
Lindemann
G
G
Seipelt
O G
OG
Ottmann
M
M
Eder
S
S
Falk
F
F
Herrmann
J P
JP
Kaltwasser
P
P
Meusers
M
M
Klausmann
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins