title: Long-term control of polycythemia rubra vera with recombinant alpha interferon.
abstract: The natural history of PRV is characterized by a prolonged period of myeloproliferation chiefly affecting the red cell series. It can be controlled by venesection and cytotoxic agents. In this case report the patient declined further 'standard' chemotherapy to control his disease and the use of relatively low doses of IFN-a was successful in our patient in controlling myeloproliferation and stabilizing the disease over a prolonged period. These results support the use of IFN-a, not only as a means of myelosuppression in PRV but also as an agent with the potential to prevent disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Clemons
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins