Abstract |
In 1985, Cancer and Leukemia Group B initiated a multi-institutional study to define the role of interferon alpha in therapy of previously untreated active hairy cell leukemia (HCL). This is a long-term follow-up report of the study. Fifty-five evaluable patients were treated with recombinant interferon-2b 2 million units/m2 subcutaneously three times a week for 1 year. Treatment was well tolerated; toxicity mainly consisted of flu-like syndrome and pancytopenia, both of a transient nature. Seventy-three percent of patients had objective beneficial responses with 8.3 months median time to achieve at least a partial response (PR). After 1 year of therapy, the patients have been observed for a median of 5 years. There was a continual trend towards relapse throughout this period but 28% have remained in remission beyond 6 years. Forty-six patients (83%) are alive at 6 years. Among the 40 patients who achieved at least a PR, there were 28 with splenomegaly at the beginning of study: the spleen size was reduced in all with interferon alpha therapy and none required splenectomy. This study confirms the results of other investigators, and demonstrates that recombinant alpha interferon-2b is an effective agent for treatment of hairy cell leukemia.
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Authors | K R Rai, F Davey, B Peterson, C Schiffer, R T Silver, H Ozer, H Golomb, C D Bloomfield |
Journal | Leukemia
(Leukemia)
Vol. 9
Issue 7
Pg. 1116-20
(Jul 1995)
ISSN: 0887-6924 [Print] England |
PMID | 7630181
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
- Recombinant Proteins
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Canada
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Interferon alpha-2
- Interferon-alpha
(therapeutic use)
- Leukemia, Hairy Cell
(complications, mortality, therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Recombinant Proteins
- Remission Induction
- Spleen
(pathology)
- Splenomegaly
(etiology, pathology)
- Survival Rate
- United States
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