ALPHA-INTERFERON IN MYELOFIBROSIS - A CASE-REPORT

A patient with advanced myeloid metaplasia was treated with alpha-inte rferon (29 months) with a remarkable response. He had anaemia, thrombo cytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly with infarction. The initial bone mar row showed replacement with fibrosis with no evident haemopoietic cell s. Post-therapy, the patient became asymptomatic, transfusion independ ent and had normal blood counts. The repeat bone marrow was 30% cellul ar with 1 + reticulin and no fibrosis. Treatment was well tolerated wi thout appreciable side-effects. These results indicate that prolonged therapy with alpha-interferon can improve haemopoiesis and reverse mar row fibrosis.