title: Therapy of chronic myelogenous leukemia with recombinant interferon-gamma.
abstract: Recently, we reported that recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha) can induce hematologic remissions and cytogenetic improvement in newly diagnosed Philadelphia (Ph)-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. Although IFN-gamma is a structurally distinct molecule, this agent suppresses in vitro hematopoietic progenitor cells in a fashion similar to that of IFN-alpha. Therefore, we initiated a study of rIFN-gamma at doses of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/m2/d intramuscularly in patients with Ph-positive benign-phase CML. Twenty-six of 30 patients entered in the study were evaluable. Six patients have achieved a complete hematologic response; four, a partial hematologic response. The median follow-up period of patients who are in complete remission is 7.5 months (range, 5 to 12 months). No relapses have occurred among the complete responders. So far, five patients have had cytogenetic improvement with emergence of 5% to 45% diploid cells in the bone marrow. Fever and flulike symptoms were the most common side effects, with partial tolerance often developing after about 1 week. The majority of patients tolerated therapy with minimal change in performance status. In conclusion, rIFN-gamma has demonstrated clinical activity in CML. On the basis of these observations and the in vitro synergistic growth-inhibitory effects of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma, we have started trials of combination IFN therapy in CML patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma