Alpha interferon for induction of remission in hairy-cell leukemia.
We treated seven patients who had progressive hairy-cell leukemia with daily doses of 3 million units of partially pure alpha (leukocyte) interferon by the intramuscular route. Three patients had a complete remission, and four had a partial remission, according to strict criteria for a response. After treatment, bone-marrow aspirates showed an absence of leukemia cells in three patients and 5 per cent or fewer in three others. Normalization of subnormal peripheral-blood values occurred in six of six patients with anemia, in seven of seven with granulocytopenia, and in four of four with thrombocytopenia. Remissions have been maintained for over 6 to over 10 months. Alpha interferon appears to be highly effective in patients with hairy-cell leukemia.
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D007370:Interferon Type I