title: Treatment of thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative disorders with interferon alpha-2a.
abstract: In an open prospective pilot trial, we tested the effect of recombinant interferon alpha-2 a (rIFN alpha-2 a) on thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). Since October 1986, 13 patients with MPD (4 with chronic granulocytic leukemia, 4 with polycythemia vera, 3 with essential thrombocythemia and 2 with myeloid metaplasia) were treated with rIFN alpha-2 a. Platelet counts decreased in all treated patients within 2 to 10 weeks from a median value of 1,050 x 10(9)/l (range 610-1,940 x 10(9)/l) to 340 x 10(9)/l (range 230-495 x 10(9)/l). The response was dose-dependent. In 11 patients we observed a simultaneous reduction of the white blood cell count. Six patients still continue the IFN alpha-2 a therapy. In 7 treatment was discontinued, because of chronic side effects in 3, and because of noncompliance in one. In these patients, thrombocytosis recurred after discontinuation of the therapy. These results show that rIFN alpha-2 a is effective in controlling thrombocytosis in MPD. However, the long-term benefit of interferon in these disorders remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kantonsspital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tichelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gratwohl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Würsch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dieterle
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomssen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holdener
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Speck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins