Treatment of hairy cell leukemia with recombinant alpha 2 interferon

Abstract

Nine patients with progressive hairy cell leukemia were treated with subcutaneous injections of recombinant alpha 2 interferon (2 to 10 X 10(6) U/m2) three times weekly. Eight patients completed at least eight weeks of treatment and were evaluable; one patient with refractory thrombocytopenia died of an intracerebral hemorrhage after two doses of interferon. Seven of eight patients responded, with responses occurring as early as two weeks. Four patients also had resolution of their monocytopenia. No complete responses were seen with up to 30 weeks of treatment. Bone marrow biopsies demonstrated improvement in all eight patients. No unforeseen toxicity occurred, but most patients had transient myelosuppression during the first few weeks of treatment. Recombinant alpha 2 interferon is effective in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, with acceptable toxicity.

Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy

“…However, in many cases, IFN has been replaced or relegated to therapy in second-line treatment by the development of novel reagents or combinations (Goldman et al 2003). IFN-α treatment resulted in substantial and sustained improvement in granulocyte, platelet counts, and hemoglobin levels in 77% of treated patients with HCL and at least some improvement in minor responses occurred in 90% (Ratain et al 1985). The percentage of patients with HCL who required blood cell or platelet transfusions decreased significantly during treatment.…”

Biological Approaches to Cancer Therapy

“…We and other investigators have reported excellent ,responses for patients with hairy-cell leukemia treated with recombinant leukocyte A interferon [43][44][45][46]. Responses appear to be equivalent for patients who have not had prior splenectomy.…”