Search

Introduction: Interferon alfa (IFN-α) has been used for over 30 years to treat myeloproliferative neoplasms. Recombinant IFN-α (rIFN-α) and pegylated IFN-α (Peg-IFN-α) have been shown to provide effective therapy for essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythaemia vera (PV), as well as early stage primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in several clinical studies. Patients and methods: This report presents a retrospective analysis of 60 patients with MPN who were treated with rIFN-α or Peg-IFN-D outside clinical trials. Results: Retrospective stratification at diagnosis included 34 (57%) patients with PV, 5 (8%) with ET and 21 (35%) with PMF. Median age was 43 years (16-70). Median treatment duration was 107.5 months, with 11 patients treated with Peg IFN-D for a median duration of 24 months. Median follow up was 164 months. 24 patients (40%) achieved complete remission, 29 patients (48%) achieved partial remission and 7 patients (12%) failed to achieve partial remission. Toxicities were recorded in 42 patients (70%): chronic „flu-like syndrome", psychiatric toxicity, hepatotoxicity, dermatotoxicity, ocular and neurotoxicity. Thirteen (22%) patients stopped the treatment because of toxicity. Conclusion: IFN-α effectively controls disease in a significant proportion of Ph-negative MPN patients. However, its use in clinical practice has unfortunately been limited by side effects. These results support the need for further efficacy studies of IFN-α in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]