title: [Recombinant (IFN-alpha 2b) therapy in hairy cell leukemia].
abstract: Eighty-five patients with hairy-cell leukemia were treated in a multicentric "open label" study with IFN-alpha 2b and evaluated. Induction therapy was 2 X 10(6) U IFN-alpha 2b/m2, 3 times a week, s.c. The results show this regimen to be highly effective with only a few tolerable and transient side effects consisting mainly of flu-like symptoms. After 6 months of therapy 4% CR, 69% PR, and 16% MR, were noted. In a small group of four patients who had achieved CR or PR, we tested the effect of varying doses for maintenance therapy. Our preliminary results indicate that a relapse caused by interruption of IFN therapy or dose reduction to 3 X 10(6) U given once a week, o.c. could be successfully treated by readministration, or escalating the dosage of IFN. It seems that remission maintenance requires long-term treatment with IFN. In a short-term in vitro test we studied the effect of IFN-alpha 2 on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine into hairy cells of five patients. Fort both precursors no appreciable effect was detected. However, after prolonged incubation for 48 h, a significant enhancement of 3H-uridine incorporation was observed, while 3H-thymidine incorporation remained unaffected. Cell marker analysis performed with monoclonal antibodies before and after incubation of hairy cells with IFN-alpha 2 for up to 7 days did not reveal any change of the phenotype of hairy cells.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007370:Interferon Type I; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
vernacular_title: Rekombinante (IFN-alpha 2b)-Therapie der Haarzell-Leukämie.