title: Recombinant interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of polycythemia vera.
abstract: We studied the effects of recombinant alpha 2-b interferon (alpha 2-b IFN) in a dose of 3 x 10(6)U intramuscularly three times a week for 1 year in 13 patients affected by polycythemia vera (PV) previously treated with phlebotomy only. Response to treatment was evaluated by reduction of the number of phlebotomies required to retain normal hematocrit value. Ten out of 13 patients (77%) responded to treatment; in 4 of them the exigency of phlebotomy was completely eliminated. In all responders a concomitant decrease of platelet count and splenomegaly was obtained. Treatment was well tolerated and side effects were easily controlled. We conclude that alpha-IFN may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the management of the proliferative stages of PV.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Cardarelli General Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cimino
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rametta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mettivier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001815:Bloodletting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013163:Splenomegaly
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins