title: Hematological and cytogenetic response of interferon alpha 2b alone and combined interferon alpha plus cytarabine as a first-line treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia.
abstract: Treatment with interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) prolongs survival in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Additionally, cytarabine (AraC) can reduce the number of Ph + metaphases. Fortythree previously untreated patients with CML in chronic phase were randomly assigned to receive either. IFNalpha 2b (5 MU sqm/daily) or IFNalpha 2b in the same dosages plus monthly courses of low-dose AraC. The aim were complete hematologic remission at 6 months and cytogenetic response at 12 months. A complete hematologic remission occurred in 60.4% patients with single IFNalpha 2b in 76.2% patients with combination therapy. A cytogenetic response was present in 13.9% (major in 2 patients) with IFN therapy and in 38.1% patients with combination therapy. Two of 21 patients treated with IFNalpha/AraC therapy achieved major (9.52%), 4 partial (19.04%) and 2 minor (9.52%) cytogenetic response. Major side effects were cytopenia (20.1%), flu-like syndromes (42.4%) and increase of hepatic transaminases (3.4%). The side effects were more significant in the group receiving combination therapy. Based on published data that show a survival advantage for patients who achieved any cytogenetic response, and high rate of cytogenetic response which we observed in our study we believe that IFN plus AraC regimen could be a front-line therapy for CML.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Medical Faculty Hospital and UPJS, Slovak Republic. etothova@post.sk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tóthová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fricová
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kafková
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stecová
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raffac
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hlebasková
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003561:Cytarabine