Recombinant human interferon-alpha induced cytoreduction in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Results of a multicenter study.
Fourteen patients with Ph'-chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in first chronic phase were treated with recombinant interferon-alpha 2c. Interferon-alpha 2c 5 to 10 X 10(6) units s.c. was given for 12 weeks as an induction therapy. Maintenance treatment consisted of interferon-alpha 2c 5 X 10(6) units twice weekly s.c.. Two patients (14%) attained a complete clinical remission and 6 (43%) a partial remission, 3 of whom developed progressive disease during maintenance therapy. A complete disappearance of Ph'-chromosome was achieved in 1 patient. All patients had a more than 45% initial decline of the leukocyte count. Four out of ten patients with an initially enlarged spleen demonstrated reduction in spleen size. Influenza-like symptoms, anorexia, nausea, weight loss and fatigue were common side effects. Interferon-alpha is active in CML but additional clinical investigations are warranted to assess more precisely the therapeutic value of the interferons in this disease.
Werter
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
de Witte
R
R
Janssen
J
J
de Pauw
B
B
Haanen
C
C
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D010677:Philadelphia Chromosome; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins