title: [Value of interferon-alpha in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia].
abstract: In 1983 Talpaz et al. (43) for the first time demonstrated the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) for the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). This observation has been confirmed by several study groups in the consecutive years. An overview over the 7 largest trials including more than 400 patients reveals response rates (partial and complete hematological remissions) of 55 to 91%. In contrast to conventional chemotherapy IFN-alpha treatment resulted in a decrease of Philadelphia-chromosome positive metaphases (cytogenetic remissions) in 19 to 47% of these patients. A complete disappearance of the Philadelphia chromosome was found in 5 to 10% of patients. The following factors influence the response to IFN-alpha in patients with CML: phase and duration of the disease, several well defined risk factors, and IFN-dose. Currently available data are strongly suggestive for a survival benefit of patients with cytogenetic remissions, although definitive prove by phase-III trials is lacking. Actual studies focus on combinations of IFN-alpha and cytostatics, e.g. low-dose cytosine arabinoside.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Innsbruck.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thaler
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D003561:Cytarabine; D007371:Interferon-gamma
vernacular_title: Stellenwert von Interferon-alpha in der Behandlung der chronisch myeloischen Leukämie.