Rapid improvement in a terminal case of hairy cell leukemia treated with a new human recombinant interferon, IFN-alpha-C.
A new type of human interferon (IFN), IFN-alpha-C, produced in Escherichia coli and purified on monoclonal antibodies, was given at a dose of 3 X 10(6) u (3 micrograms)/day to a terminally ill unsplenectomized patient with hairy cell leukemia, who had had severe recurrent infections and pancytopenia. There was marked reduction in the size of the spleen after 2 weeks, and platelet counts returned to normal after 1 month of treatment. The IFN treatment also raised the granulocyte counts and hemoglobin levels, improved the normal repopulation of the bone marrow, and restored resistance to infections. IFN-alpha-C was well tolerated, without serious side effects, and treatment has been continued for 10 months.
D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins