Recombinant alpha-interferon 2b in the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and the mechanism of action of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) in the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia.


METHODS
Thirteen HIV-positive subjects [nine men and four women with severe thrombocytopenia (platelets, < or = 30 x 10(9)/l)] were treated with alpha-IFN 2b alone at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U three times a week for 5 weeks. Haematological parameters, platelet kinetic and bone-marrow myeloid progenitor cultures [megakaryocyte colony-forming units (CFU-MK); granulocyte macrophage CFU (CFU-GM) and erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E)] were evaluated before and after treatment in responsive subjects.


RESULTS
Seven out of 13 subjects showed a partial response (platelets, 50-149 x 10(9)/l) after alpha-IFN 2b therapy. Platelet survival as evaluated by 111In-oxine significantly increased, while platelet turnover showed a slight but not statistically significant increase after treatment. The growth of bone-marrow myeloid progenitor cells decreased after alpha-IFN 2b therapy, again without statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
alpha-IFN 2b may increase the platelet count in HIV-positive subjects with severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia by prolonging platelet survival. The immunomodulatory and antiviral action of this drug may be responsible for prolonged platelet survival.
Vianelli
N
N
Institute of Haematology, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Catani
L
L
Gugliotta
L
L
Belmonte
M M
MM
Cascione
L
L
Colangeli
V
V
Ricchi
E
E
Mazza
P
P
Mazzucconi
M G
MG
Chistolini
A
A
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015672:Erythroid Precursor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor