[Long-term maintenance of platelets by IFN alpha-2b in a case of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to prednisolone therapy].

Abstract

A 63-year-old female with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to prednisolone therapy was treated with interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b). Initially, the patient received 2 courses of short-course therapy in which 1.5 million IU and IFN alpha-2b was subcutaneously injected 3 times a week every other day for 4 weeks. During the first course, the platelet count rose from 1.0 x 10(4)/microliters to 12.4 x 10(4)/microliters 3 weeks after the beginning of the therapy, but the effect was transient. In the second course the platelet-increasing effect was lower than that in the first course. Then, intermittent injections of 3 million IU of IFN alpha-2b once a week were subsequently begun. Consequently, the patient's platelet count has been maintained at 5 to 9 x 10(4)/microliters for more than 19 months since the beginning of intermittent IFN alpha-2b therapy.

• Authors: K Murai, H Hirano, T Utsugisawa, R Takeda, Y Narigasawa, T Kanazawa, Y Miyairi, S Kuriya
• Journal: [Rinsho ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology (Rinsho Ketsueki) Vol. 34 Issue 2 Pg. 207-11 (Feb 1993) ISSN: 0485-1439 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 8492419 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Drug Resistance
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Platelet Count
• Prednisolone (pharmacology)
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (blood, therapy)
• Recombinant Proteins