title: [Interferon alfa-2B in chronic lymphatic leukemia of the B-cell type].
abstract: In a clinical phase II study nine patients (five men and four women; mean age 48 [42-58] years) in an early stage of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL) of the B-cell type were treated with recombinant alpha-2b interferon (IFN alpha-2b), initially at a dosage of 5 mega units subcutaneously three times weekly, but in some cases reduced to 2.5 or raised to 10 mega units. Duration of treatment has been 15-36 months. Through-flow cytometry in seven patients demonstrated a definite fall in circulating B1-positive lymphocytes. Lasting partial remission (duration of 106-134 weeks) was achieved in four patients, in a further four the condition remained stable. A recurrence was noted in the patient with the initially highest lymphocyte count (52,000/microliters) after 28 weeks, control being achieved only after 64 weeks of chemotherapy. Side effects were flu'-like symptoms and (in two instances) depression. In three patients there was a clear rise in serum immunoglobulin concentrations as sign of IFN alpha-2b-induced increased immune response, while in four HLA-DR expression on monocytes was doubled. It is concluded that early treatment of CLL with IFN alpha-2b may delay the onset of necessary chemotherapy, any antibody-deficiency may be improved and survival time may ultimately be lengthened.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt, Universität München.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlag
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flieger
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Ziegler-Heitbrock
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emmerich
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
vernacular_title: Interferon alpha-2b bei chronischer lymphatischer Leukämie vom B-Zell-Typ.