title: Excellent response to interferon therapy in a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome and elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels.
abstract: The hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by sustained eosinophilia for a period of at least six months with evidence of organ involvement. Its manifestations range from a benign disorder not requiring any therapy to an aggressive, malignant variety refractory to common treatments. Diverse therapies have been used, including steroids, hydroxyurea, and chemotherapy, with variable responses. Recently alpha-interferon therapy has been shown effective in this disorder. Of the various prognostic factors, elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels is considered among the most favorable, with most patients presenting with a "benign" disorder, not requiring therapy. We describe a patient presenting with an aggressive variant of HES despite having elevated IgE levels. The patient had a dramatic and lasting response to alpha-interferon.
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Medical Oncology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Acaba
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mangual
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vélez García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E