A pilot study of recombinant human interleukin-4 therapy of myelofibrosis

Twelve patients with myelofibrosis were treated with recombinant human inte rleukin-4 (IL-4) administered subcutaneously thrice weekly. Dosage ranged f rom 1 mu g/kg to 4 mu g/kg. Median patient age was 65 years (range 36-74). Five patients had transient minor responses, and 5 patients had progressive disease. One patient had a transient minor response, rapidly followed by p rogressive disease. One patient suffered angioneurotic edema with first inj ection. Other significant toxicities included fever, flu-like symptoms, per ipheral edema, and ascites. IL-4 at this schedule was toxic and had no sign ificant activity in myelofibrosis.