RECOMBINANT INTERFERON-ALPHA-2B AS TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTHEMIA

We report the disease characteristics and therapeutic results for 25 p atients suffering from essential thrombocythaemia (ET), treated with r ecombinant interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha 2b). ET was diagnosed accord ing to the criteria of the Polycythaemia Vera Study Group. All patient s were programmed to receive a subcutaneous induction treatment consis ting of 3 MU of IFN-alpha 2b daily for 6 months. In responding patient s, treatment was continued for a further 6 months with 3 MU of IFN-alp ha 2b three times a week. Complete response was achieved in 13 of 25 p atients, partial response in 10 of 25. In 2 cases, therapy was unsucce ssful. Side effects were usually mild, consisting of flu-like symptoms in most cases, and were easily controlled by paracetamol. After a med ian follow-up of 14 months after discontinuation of the treatment, mos t patients retained the therapeutic response in the absence of toxicit y.