Rapid improvement in a terminal case of hairy cell leukemia treated with a new human recombinant interferon, IFN-alpha-C.

Abstract

A new type of human interferon (IFN), IFN-alpha-C, produced in Escherichia coli and purified on monoclonal antibodies, was given at a dose of 3 X 10(6) u (3 micrograms)/day to a terminally ill unsplenectomized patient with hairy cell leukemia, who had had severe recurrent infections and pancytopenia. There was marked reduction in the size of the spleen after 2 weeks, and platelet counts returned to normal after 1 month of treatment. The IFN treatment also raised the granulocyte counts and hemoglobin levels, improved the normal repopulation of the bone marrow, and restored resistance to infections. IFN-alpha-C was well tolerated, without serious side effects, and treatment has been continued for 10 months.

• Authors: D Aderka, Y Levo, R Rahmani, Y Mory, B Vaks, O Horowitz, T Doerner, J Shoham, D Wallach, M Revel
• Journal: Israel journal of medical sciences (Isr J Med Sci) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 977-81 (Dec 1985) ISSN: 0021-2180 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 4093298 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interferon Type I
• Recombinant Proteins

Topics

• Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
• Humans
• Interferon Type I (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Leukemia, Hairy Cell (blood, immunology, therapy)
• Leukocyte Count
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Platelet Count
• Recombinant Proteins (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Spleen (pathology)