[Interferon therapy in hematologic neoplasms].
Interferons are new and effective agents in the treatment of various haematological neoplasias. Alpha-interferon (natural or recombinant) has a high efficacy (90% response rate) in hairy cell leukaemia. Complete remissions are, however, rare and definite cure of the disease is unlikely. Alpha-interferon induces haematological remissions in about two thirds of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and leads to a reduction in Philadelphia chromosome in about 40% of patients. It is uncertain, however, whether this treatment will actually prolong the life of these patients as compared with conventional treatment. Alpha-interferon has a beneficial effect in some patients with low malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas (in particular follicular lymphomas). The response rate in myeloma is rather small (20%). Gamma-interferon is not effective in hairy cell leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. It is, however, of some efficacy in chronic myeloid leukaemia (the response rate in lower than with alpha-interferon) and possibly has some effect in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. The toxicity of interferons (alpha and gamma) consists of an influenza-like syndrome during the first days of treatment. Low doses of alpha-interferon show virtually no long-term toxicity. However, bone and muscular pain is sometimes dose-limiting with intermediate doses (5 to 15 million units) of alpha-interferon.
Schwarzinger
I
I
Abteilung für Hämatologie und Blutgerinnung, I. Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Wien.
Bettelheim
P
P
Lechner
K
K
D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000628:therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D007372:Interferons
Interferontherapie bei hmatologischen Neoplasien.