USE OF INTERFERON-2-ALPHA IN THE TREATMENT OF CRYOGLOBULINEMIC LEG ULCERS

We report three cases of leg ulcers complicating cryoglobulinaemia whi ch resisted conventional therapy but responded to interferon-2 alpha. All three cases improved with the complete resolution of painful vascu litic lesions and healing of deep ulcers, The dose of interferon to pr oduce ulcer healing was determined by individual response with escalat ion of the daily dose to 4.5 x 10(6) units per day required in one cas e. A lower dose of maintenance interferon could be used to prevent sub sequent relapses of disease.