Sustained remission of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome following alpha-interferon therapy.

Abstract

Two patients with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) refractory to treatment with corticosteroids and hydroxyurea received alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) for 3 and 1 years, respectively. Eosinophil counts dropped below 1.5 x 10(9)/l at weekly doses of 2-7 x 3 million units alpha-IFN. More than a year after discontinuation of alpha-IFN, 1 patient remains in a stable remission. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plasma levels were found to be normal in this patient, although GM-CSF is known to stimulate eosinophil proliferation in vitro. Based on the favorable clinical results of alpha-IFN, further studies are necessary to define its role in the treatment of HES.

• Authors: S Fruehauf, C Fiehn, R Haas, H Doehner, W Hunstein
• Journal: Acta haematologica (Acta Haematol) Vol. 89 Issue 2 Pg. 91-3 ( 1993) ISSN: 0001-5792 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 8503251 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interferon-alpha
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Adult
• Eosinophilia (blood, therapy)
• Eosinophils (drug effects)
• Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (blood)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Leukocyte Count (drug effects)
• Male
• Remission Induction
• Syndrome
• Time Factors