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Treatment of high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes with lymphoblastoid alpha interferon
Author(s) -
Petti M. C.,
Latagliata R.,
Avvisati G.,
Aloe Spiriti M. A.,
Montefusco E.,
Spadea A.,
Mandelli F.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1996.d01-1911.x
Subject(s) - medicine , discontinuation , myelodysplastic syndromes , lymphoblast , alpha interferon , gastroenterology , interferon , toxicity , immunology , bone marrow , biology , genetics , cell culture
Seventeen patients with high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR‐MDS) received lymphoblastoid‐interferon alpha (Ly‐IFNα) for 3 months at escalating doses from 0.5 to 3 MU s.c. 3 times per week. Three patients stopped the treatment after 2 months because of cardiac failure (one patient) and cerebral haemorrhage (two patients); six had a partial response (PR) and continued Ly‐IFNα; six were resistant and stopped Ly‐IFNα; two evolved to acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Among the six partial responders, four achieved a complete response (CR) during subsequent Ly‐IFNα treatment (CR duration 3, 4+, 15+ and 29 months) and two did not achieve any further improvement (PR duration 3 and 9 months). Two resistant patients had an unexpected clinical improvement soon after Ly‐IFNα discontinuation and achieved a PR of 6+ and 14+ months respectively. No toxicity related to Ly‐IFNα treatment was observed and no reduction of dosage was needed. In conclusion: (1) Ly‐IFNα seems to be effective in some patients with HR‐MDS; (2) the best treatment duration seems to be of at least 6 months.