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Recombinant interferon α‐2b in the treatment of polycythemia vera
Author(s) -
Cimino Renato,
Rametta Vincenzo,
Matera Carmela,
Mele Giuseppina,
Mettivier Vincenzo,
Ferrara Felicetto
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830440303
Subject(s) - phlebotomy , polycythemia vera , medicine , hematocrit , concomitant , gastroenterology , alpha interferon , hematology , recombinant dna , alpha (finance) , interferon , immunology , surgery , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , construct validity , patient satisfaction
We studied the effects of recombinant α2‐b interferon (α2‐b IFN) in a dose of 3 × 10 6 U intramuscularly three times a week for 1 year in 13 patients affected by polycythemia vera (PV) previously treated with phlebotomy only. Response to treatment was evaluated by reduction of the number of phlebotomies required to retain normal hematocrit value. Ten out of 13 patients (77%) responded to treatment; in 4 of them the exigency of phlebotomy was completely eliminated. In all responders a concomitant decrease of platelet count and splenomegaly was obtained. Treatment was well tolerated and side effects were easily controlled. We conclude that α‐IFN may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the management of the proliferative stages of PV. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.