title: Use of pegylated interferon in hypereosinophilic syndrome.
abstract: Scant information exists about pegylated interferons (PEG-IFNs) use for treating hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). We describe 6 patients with HES-1 patient with a newly identified chromosomal abnormality-who received PEG-IFNs. PEG-IFN alpha-2b replaced interferon (IFN) alpha-2b for 4 patients and was initial treatment of 2 patients. PEG-IFN alpha-2a was substituted when PEG-IFN alpha-2b became unavailable. PEG-IFNs were well tolerated and controlled eosinophilia. The dose of PEG-IFNs often could be tapered and the interval between doses lengthened beyond 7 days. Adverse effects included dose-related increases in liver enzyme levels, hair loss, mild lymphopenia, and neutropenia. PEG-IFNs are effective treatment of HES.
authors: Division of Allergic Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. butterfield.joseph@mayo.edu
authors: Joseph H
authors: JH
authors: Butterfield
authors: Catherine R
authors: CR
authors: Weiler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b