Summary
In an open prospective pilot trial, we tested the effect of recombinant interferon alpha-2a (rIFN alpha-2a) on thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). Since October 1986, 13 patients with MPD (4 with chronic granulocytic leukemia, 4 with polycythemia vera, 3 with essential thrombocythemia and 2 with myeloid metaplasia) were treated with rIFN alpha-2a. Platelet counts decreased in all treated patients within 2 to 10 weeks from a median value of 1,050×109/l (range 610−1,940×109/l) to 340×109/l (range 230−495×109/l). The response was dose-dependent. In 11 patients we observed a simultaneous reduction of the white blood cell count. Six patients still continue the IFN alpha-2a therapy. In 7 treatment was discontinued, because of chronic side effects in 3, and because of noncompliance in one. In these patients, thrombocytosis recurred after discontinuation of the therapy. These results show that rIFN alpha-2a is effective in controlling thrombocytosis in MPD. However, the long-term benefit of interferon in these disorders remains to be established.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrams PG, Mc Clamrock E, Foon KA (1985) Evening administration of alpha interferon. N Engl J Med 312: 443–444
Bergsagel DE (1983) Chronic granulocytic leukemia. In: Fairbanks UF (eds) Current hematology, vol. 2. John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 1–26
Bergsagel DE, Haas RH, Messner HA (1986) Interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of chronic granulocytic leukemia. Semin Oncol 8: 29–34
Berk PD, Goldberg JD, Silverstein MN, Weinfeld A, Donovan PB, Ellis JT, Landaw SA, Laszlo J, Najean Y, Pisciotta AV, Wasserman LR (1981) Increased incidence of acute leukemia in polycythemia vera associated with chlorambucil therapy. N Engl J Med 304: 441–447
Castro-Malaspina H, Moore MAS (1982) Pathophysiological mechanisms operating in the development of myelofibrosis: role of megakaryocytes. Nouv Rev Fr Hematol 24: 221–226
Gordon MY, Barrett MJ (1985) Chronic myeloid leukaemia and myeloproliferative disorders. In: Gordon MY, Barrett MJ (eds) Bone marrow disorders. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford London Edinburgh Boston Palo Alto Melbourne, pp 187–226
Hehlmann R, Anger B, Messerer D, Zankovich R, Bergmann L, Kolb HJ, Meyer P, Essers U, Queisser U, Vaupel H, Walther F, Hossfeld DK, Zimmermann R, Heiss F, Mende S, Tigges FJ, Kleeberg UR, Pralle H, Kayser W, Zimmermann R, Tichelli A, Faulhaber JD, Räth U, Schubert H, Bross K, Schlag R, Schmid L, Weissenfels I, Heinze B, Georgii A, Queisser W, Heimpel H (1988) Randomized study on the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase with busulfan versus hydroxyurea versus interferon-alpha. Blut 56: 87–91
Hussain S, Schwartz JM, Friedman SA, Chua SN (1978) Arterial thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia. Am Heart J 96: 31–36
Jabaily J, Iland HJ, Laszlo J, Massey EW, Faguet GB, Brière J, Landaw SA, Pisciotta AV (1983) Neurologic manifestations of essential thrombocythemia. Ann Intern Med 99: 513–518
Jones GJ, Itri LM (1986) Safety and tolerance of recombinant interferon alpha-2a (Roferon-A) in cancer patients. Cancer 57: 1709–1715
Landaw SA (1976) Acute leukemia in polycythemia vera. Semin Hematol 13: 33–48
Landaw SA (1986) Acute leukemia in polycythemia vera. Semin Hematol 23: 156–165
Mason JE, De Vita VT, Canellos GP (1974) Thrombocytosis in chronic granulocytic leukemia: incidence and clinical significance. Blood 44: 483–487
Niederle N, Kloke O, Doberauer C, Becher R, Beelen DW, Schmidt CG (1986) alpha-2 Interferon: Erste Behandlungsergebnisse bei der chronischen myeloischen Leukämie. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 111: 767–772
Salem HH, Van der Weyden MB, Kautts J, Firkin BG (1980) Leg pain and platelet aggregates in thrombocythemic myeloproliferative disease. JAMA 224: 1122–1123
Schafer AI (1984) Bleeding and thrombosis in the myeloproliferative disorders. Blood 64: 1–12
Silver RT, Gale RP (1986) Chronic myeloid leukemia. Am J Med 80: 1137–1148
Talpaz M, Mavligit G, Keating M, Walters RS, Gutterman JU (1983) Human leukocyte interferon to control thrombocytosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Ann Intern Med 99: 789–792
Talpaz M, Kantarjian HM, Mc Credie K, Trujillo JM, Keating MJ, Gutterman JU (1986) Hematologic remission and cytogenetic improvement induced by recombinant human interferon alpha A in chronic myelogenous leukemia. N Engl J Med 314: 1065–1069
Talpaz M, Kantarjian HM, Mc Credie KB, Keating MJ, Trujillo J, Gutterman J (1987) Clinical investigation of human alpha interferon in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Blood 69: 1280–1288
Videbaek A (1950) Polycythemia vera, course and prognosis. Acta Med Scand 138: 179–187
Wasserman LR, Goldberg JD, Balcerzak SP, Berk PD, Donovan PB, Dresch C, Ellis JT, Landaw SA, Laszlo J, Mc Intyre OR, Najean Y, Pisciotta AV, Silverstein M, Tartaglia AP, Tatarsky I, Weinfeld A (1981) Influence of therapy on causes of death in polycythemia vera. Clin Res 29: 573 A
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tichelli, A., Gratwohl, A., Berger, C. et al. Treatment of thrombocytosis in myeloproliferative disorders with interferon alpha-2a. Blut 58, 15–19 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320230
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00320230