title: [Autoimmune phenomena during interferon-alpha therapy for hematopoietic disorders].
abstract: The development of various kinds of autoimmune disease as a result of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy has been reported among chronic myeloproliferative disorders(CMPD) including chronic myeloid leukemia(CML). Therefore, we investigated the frequency of autoimmune disorders in 33 patients with hematopoietic diseases treated with IFN-alpha in our department. Thirty-three patients (12 females, 21 males) included cases of CML (n = 23), essential thrombocythemia (ET) (n = 1), multiple myeloma (n = 8), and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) (n = 1). Autoantibodies (ANA, dsDNA, and RAPA), thyroid grand functions, and coagulant functions were examined. Twenty-five out of 33 patients were treated with natural IFN-alpha, and 8 patients were treated with recombinant IFN-alpha 2b (rIFN alpha-2b). Three patients were treated with IFN and anticancer agents. Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 2 of 33 patients. RAPA and anti-thyroglobulin antibody became positive in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. Ten patients showed low serum levels of either free T3 and/or free T4. However, none of them showed any clinical symptoms for developing autoimmune diseases. In addition, circulating anticoagulant antibodies were detected in 3 of 23 patients with CML treated with rIFN alpha-2b, but in no cases treated with natural IFN-alpha. Although none of the patients developed autoimmune diseases, we concluded that patients receiving IFN therapy should be carefully monitored for clinical signs and symptoms of autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: First Dept. of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Medical University.
authors.forename: Tomotaka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iguchi
authors.forename: Jiroh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nishimaki
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawakubo
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimamoto
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Iwase
authors.forename: Akitaka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yuzuru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuriyama
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Tetsuzo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tauchi
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaguchi
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Kazuma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohyashiki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins