Heinz L. Seewann , Ronald Zikulnig , Gertraud Gallhofer , Christine Schmid
{"title":"Treatment of thrombocytosis in chronic myeloproliferative disorders with interferon alfa-2b","authors":"Heinz L. Seewann , Ronald Zikulnig , Gertraud Gallhofer , Christine Schmid","doi":"10.1016/0277-5379(91)90576-Y","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Thirty-six patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) with thrombocytosis (essential thrombocythaemia 19 patients, chronic megakaryocytic granulocytic myelosis five, polycythaemia vera six, chronic myelogenous leukaemia six) were treated with interferon alfa-2b to reduce the platelet count. The pre-treatment platelet count was in the range 450–700 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L in eight patients, 700–1000 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L in eight and above 1000 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L in 20. In the induction phase of treatment 22 patients were treated with interferon alfa-2b 3 million units (MU) daily subcutaneously for 2 months or until the platelet count returned to normal, if earlier. Fourteen patients received 5 MU interferon alfa-2b daily in the same way. In the maintenance phase the doses were reduced to 3 MU and 5 MU thrice weekly, respectively. Complete response (CR), defined as a reduction of platelet count to below 450 × 10<sup>9</sup>/L, was achieved in 78% of patients (within 2 months of induction in 64%). The platelet depleting effect was dose dependent: CR in 2 months in 52% on 3 MU interferon alfa-2b versus 75% on 5 MU. Reduction of interferon dose was followed by an increase in platelet count in 39% of patients. The white cell count fell by 50% in Philadelphia-negative CMPD. Side effects were common, though generally mild, but led to withdrawal of treatment in six patients. Three patients suffered cerebrovascular events during treatment and one shortly thereafter.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":11925,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"1991-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/0277-5379(91)90576-Y","citationCount":"14","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/027753799190576Y","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 14
Abstract
Thirty-six patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD) with thrombocytosis (essential thrombocythaemia 19 patients, chronic megakaryocytic granulocytic myelosis five, polycythaemia vera six, chronic myelogenous leukaemia six) were treated with interferon alfa-2b to reduce the platelet count. The pre-treatment platelet count was in the range 450–700 × 109/L in eight patients, 700–1000 × 109/L in eight and above 1000 × 109/L in 20. In the induction phase of treatment 22 patients were treated with interferon alfa-2b 3 million units (MU) daily subcutaneously for 2 months or until the platelet count returned to normal, if earlier. Fourteen patients received 5 MU interferon alfa-2b daily in the same way. In the maintenance phase the doses were reduced to 3 MU and 5 MU thrice weekly, respectively. Complete response (CR), defined as a reduction of platelet count to below 450 × 109/L, was achieved in 78% of patients (within 2 months of induction in 64%). The platelet depleting effect was dose dependent: CR in 2 months in 52% on 3 MU interferon alfa-2b versus 75% on 5 MU. Reduction of interferon dose was followed by an increase in platelet count in 39% of patients. The white cell count fell by 50% in Philadelphia-negative CMPD. Side effects were common, though generally mild, but led to withdrawal of treatment in six patients. Three patients suffered cerebrovascular events during treatment and one shortly thereafter.