Alpha Interferon for Induction of Remission in Hairy-Cell Leukemia

TLDR

Seven patients with progressive hairy‑cell leukemia received daily intramuscular injections of 3 million units of partially pure alpha‑interferon. Three patients achieved complete remission and four had partial remission; bone‑marrow aspirates showed absence of leukemia cells in three and ≤5 % in three others, while peripheral‑blood counts normalized in all patients with anemia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia, and remissions were maintained for 6–10 months, demonstrating high efficacy. Published in N Engl J Med 1984; 310:15–8.

Abstract

We treated seven patients who had progressive hairy-cell leukemia with daily doses of 3 million units of partially pure alpha (leukocyte) interferon by the intramuscular route. Three patients had a complete remission, and four had a partial remission, according to strict criteria for a response. After treatment, bone-marrow aspirates showed an absence of leukemia cells in three patients and 5 per cent or fewer in three others. Normalization of subnormal peripheral-blood values occurred in six of six patients with anemia, in seven of seven with granulocytopenia, and in four of four with thrombocytopenia. Remissions have been maintained for over 6 to over 10 months. Alpha interferon appears to be highly effective in patients with hairy-cell leukemia. (N Engl J Med 1984; 310:15–8.)