Interferon-alpha in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. A summary and an update of the Italian studies.
Six-hundred patients were recruited between 1986 and 1991 for studies of the treatment of Ph positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). The median survival of the patients who were assigned to treatment with IFN-alpha was 6 years or longer than 6 years, and was more than the survival of the patients who were assigned to conventional chemotherapy. Survival prolongation was significantly related with the achievement of a cytogenetic response. IFN-alpha treatment was not harmful for subsequent allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation.
Rosti
G
G
Institute of Hematology L and A Seràgnoli, Bologna University, Udine University, Italy.
De Vivo
A
A
Zuffa
E
E
Baccarani
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006918:Hydroxyurea