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Role of interferon alpha‐2a in the treatment of polycythemia vera
Author(s) -
Foa Paolo,
Massaro Paolo,
Ribera Sonia,
Lurlo Alessandra,
Mezzanotte Carmen,
Giandalia Daniela,
Maiolo Anna Teresa
Publication year - 1995
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.2830480112
Subject(s) - phlebotomy , polycythemia vera , medicine , alpha interferon , discontinuation , alpha (finance) , interferon alfa , gastroenterology , concomitant , hematocrit , hematology , cohort , surgery , immunology , interferon , construct validity , patient satisfaction
We studied the effects of recombinant interferon alpha‐2a (IFN‐alpha) in 36 patients with polycythemia vera (PV) previously treated with phlebotomy and/or conventional cytostatic agents. In each patient, after at least 2 months of discontinuation of any cytotoxic therapy, the hematocrit (Hmt) was first brought to normal value by phlebotomy; IFN‐alpha treatment was then begun at a starting dose of 3,000,000 IU s. c. three times a week. Response to treatment, which was assessed monthly, was defined as persistent normalization of Hmt without concomitant phlebotomy; in non‐responsive patients the initial IFN‐alpha weekly dosage was progressively increased. Twenty patients were responsive with a median duration of response of 7 months (range 2‐25+ months); out of these, 7 patients are still under treatment and responsive at 13+, 17+, 20+, 22+, 23+, 25+, 25+ months. These findings indicate that a cohort, although small, of patients with PV (19.4%) are persistently sensitive to IFN‐alpha; in this subset of patients, this cytokine can therefore provide a useful treatment option, since, contrary to conventional therapeutic approaches such as radioactive phosphorus, cytostatic agents, or phlebotomy, IFN‐alpha is devoid of harmful side effects. ©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.