INTERFERON-ALPHA THERAPY FOR REFRACTORY IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA IN CHILDREN

lnterferon (IFN)-alpha therapy was presented as a possible treatment f or refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We used 3 x 10(6) U recombinant IFN alpha, subcutaneously three times a week, every eth er day, for a total of 12 doses, in five children with refractory ITP, Three patients showed no response and were classified with Type III. One patient gave a partial response, and the other one had been in rem ission for 71 weeks as of this writing. This is the longest remission period reported for IFN therapy. The patients were classified Types II b and I, respectively. The therapy was well tolerated. We conclude tha t further studies are to needed evaluate IFN-alpha therapy in childhoo d ITP.