C. Musolino et al., SERUM LEVELS OF 2', 5 OLIGOADENYLATE SYNTHETASE DURING INTERFERON THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH B-CELL CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA, American journal of hematology, 43(1), 1993, pp. 1-4
We assayed 2', 5 oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5-AS) activity in the se
rum of eight patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL)
who were undergoing therapy with alpha interferon (IFN). Mean pretrea
tment levels of 2'5-AS were normal, but upon treatment the levels rose
to higher than normal values. Moreover, the degree of enzyme inductio
n in serum was significantly higher in CLL responders (P < 0.003) wher
eas no difference was found in non-responders. The lack of serum 2'5-A
S induction in nonresponder patients might be related to unresponsiven
ess to treatment with IFN. These results seem to show that the measure
ment of serum levels of 2'5-AS activity may be a useful tool in monito
ring IFN treatment.