Interferon alpha is an effective therapy for congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type I

The efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN) was reported in three patients with congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia (CDA) type I. We describe two addition al cases treated with IFN, which normalized the haemoglobin level in both p atients with a dramatic decrease in the size of the spleen in one. Haemoglo bin remained stable more than 6 months after discontinuation of treatment. IFN induced more than 50% decrease in the number of BFU-E in both patients' bone marrow cultures, suggesting an indirect effect of IFN on erythropoies is in vivo. We conclude that a trial of IFN therapy should be considered in patients with CDA type I.