Interferon-alfa corrects thrombocytosis in patients with myeloproliferative disorders

Abstract

During previous therapeutic trials with interferon, decreased levels of peripheral platelet counts have been observed. Taking advantage of this effect, we investigated the efficacy of recombinant interferon (rec-IFN) in the treatment of thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative diseases. A total of 15 patients with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, or chronic myeloid leukemia received rec-IFN-alfa at initial doses of 25-70 x 10(6) units/week; maintenance therapy following week 8 of treatment consisted of 20-35 x 10(6) units/week rec-IFN. Observation periods ranged from 24 to 48 weeks. Significant reductions in the number of platelets were noted in all cases; 12/15 patients achieved platelet counts below 440 x 10(9)/l and maintained those normal values for at least 4 weeks. The number of bone marrow megakaryocytes, which had been increased prior to treatment, diminished during rec-IFN therapy, while the previously shortened platelet half-life further decreased with rec-IFN treatment. During rec-IFN-induced remission, the plasma levels of platelet factors, the activity of natural killer cells, and platelet aggregation showed changes between slight improvement and normal values. Severe side effects were only observed with the highest rec-IFN doses; dosage adjustments were effective in improving or eliminating all treatment-related symptoms. Rec-IFN may prove to be a valuable therapeutic alternative to cytostatic treatment of thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative disorders.

Perspectives on interferon-alpha in the treatment of polycythemia vera and related myeloproliferative neoplasms: minimal residual disease and cure?

“…Already in 1985, Linkesch et al from Austria described that IFN-alpha2 was able to control myeloproliferation in myeloproliferative diseases with severe thrombocytosis [53, 54]. Since then, several studies during the last 30 years have subsequently confirmed that IFN-alpha2 is also able to inhibit myeloproliferation in the Philadelphia-negative MPNs with a reduction or alleviation of the need of phlebotomies in PV, disappearance of pruritus, normalization of elevated leucocyte and platelet counts, and a reduction in spleen size [19–50, 55–59].…”

A phase II trial of pegylated interferon α‐2b therapy for polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia

“…[12][13][14][15] Some case reports have shown that IFN can cause normalization of chromosomal abnormalities in PV. 16,17 Lengfelder et al summarized treatment results with IFN in 279 patients with PV and 273 patients with ET.…”

Recombinant alpha‐interferon inhibits colony formation of bone marrow fibroblast progenitor cells (CFU‐F)

“…IFN-a has been reported to be beneficial in treating myeloproliferative disorders, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) [23,24], essential thrombocytosis, and polycythemia Vera [25]. IFN-a has also been reported to be effective in treating fibrosis conditions, such as scleroderma [26], possibly through its effect of inhibiting collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts [27].…”