Open AccessTreatment with Low Dose Human Recombinant Interferon-Alpha-2-ARG Induces Complete Remission in Patients with Hairy Cell Leukemia
Author(s) -
Günther Gastl,
H. Denz,
C. Abbrederis,
Henriette Huber,
Jakob Troppmair,
J. Wiegele,
Dietger Niederwieser,
R. Flener,
Christoph Huber
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
oncology research and treatment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.553
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 2296-5262
pISSN - 2296-5270
DOI - 10.1159/000215641
Subject(s) - medicine , leukopenia , splenectomy , hairy cell leukemia , refractory (planetary science) , hairy cell , chemotherapy , minimal residual disease , complete remission , gastroenterology , leukemia , alpha interferon , surgery , interferon , immunology , spleen , physics , astrobiology
Five cases with advanced hairy cell leukemia refractory to treatment with splenectomy and chemotherapy as well as one patient presenting with a stage-A response to splenectomy were treated with rhu-IFN-alpha 2-arg. 5 X 10(6) were administered intramuscularly every day. Both patients, with advanced disease resistant to conventional therapy and treated for six or more months with rhu-IFN-alpha 2-arg, achieved complete clinical remissions. Three further cases treated for less than half a year and also with advanced disease achieved partial remission states with marked reduction of circulating hairy cells and with recovery of normal hemopoiesis. Minimal residual disease in the remaining patient during a three-month period of treatment did not respond. Side effects of rhu-IFN-alpha 2 low dose therapy were minimal in 5 cases and comprised a severe leukopenia reversible after dose reduction in one patient.