Interferon- 2b: A New Treatment for Polycythemia Vera

Brief Reports1 December 1993Interferon- 2b: A New Treatment for Polycythemia VeraRichard T. Silver, MDRichard T. Silver, MDFrom the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-119-11-199312010-00006 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Polycythemia vera is characterized by an increased red cell mass and thrombohemorrhagic complications. In general, treatment has consisted of phlebotomy to reduce the red cell mass. However, because treatment with phlebotomy only is associated with early, frequently fatal thrombosis or hemorrhage [1], myelosuppressive therapy is also used. Unfortunately, the agents used, chlorambucil and radioactive phosphorus, are leukemogenic [1].Although hydroxyurea is used as an alternative drug, a potential for leukemia still exists [2], especially in patients who develop postpolycythemic myeloid metaplasia [3]. Despite conventional treatment, many patients experience night sweats and pruritus [4] and develop iron deficiency. The inexorable course ...References1. Berk PD, Goldberg JD, Donovan PB, Fruchtman SM, Berlin NI, Wasserman LR. Therapeutic recommendations in polycythemia vera based on Polycythemia Vera Study Group protocols. Semin Hematol. 1986; 23:132-43. Google Scholar2. Donovan PB, Kaplan ME, Goldberg JD, Tatarsky I, Najean Y, Silberstein EB, et al. Treatment of polycythemia vera with hydroxyurea. Am J Hematol. 1984; 17:329-34. Google Scholar3. Nand S, Messmore H, Fisher SG, Biro ML, Schulz W, Fisher RI. Leukemia transformation in polycythemia vera: analysis of risk factors. Am J Hematol. 1990; 34:32-6. Google Scholar4. Ariad S, Bezwoda WR. Alpha-interferon for polycythemia vera (Letter). Blood. 1991; 77:670. Google Scholar5. Talpaz M, Mavligit G, Keating M, Walters RS, Gutterman JU. Human leukocyte interferon to control thrombocytosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Ann Intern Med. 1983; 99:789-92. Google Scholar6. Sacchi SL, Tabilio A, Leoni P, Riccardi A, Vecchi A, Messora C, et al. Interferon -2b in the long-term treatment of essential thrombocythemia. Ann Hematol. 1991; 63:206-9. Google Scholar7. Lin SL, Kikuchi T, Pledger WJ, Tamm I. Interferon inhibits the establishment of competence in Go/S phase transition. Science. 1986; 233:356-9. Google Scholar8. Keutzer JC, Sytkowski AJ. Platelet-derived growth factor and erythropoiesis (Abstract 303a). Blood. 1991; 78(Suppl 1):1204. Google Scholar9. Means RT, Krantz SB. Inhibition of human erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E) by interferons: Different modes of action for , and interferons (Abstract 306a). Blood. 1991; 78: 1215. Google Scholar10. Silver RT. A new treatment for polycythemia vera: recombinant interferon alfa. Blood. 1990; 76:664-5. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Richard T. Silver, MDAffiliations: From the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York.Corresponding Author: Richard T. Silver, MD, Section of Clinical Oncology Chemotherapy Research, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68 Street, Box 581, New York, NY 10021.Acknowledgments: The author thanks Helen Zurawinsky, BS, for administrative assistance, Audrey Gutfriend, BS, RN, for patient care responsibilities, and Arthur Sawitsky, MD, and Ted P. Szatrowski, MD, PhD, for review of the manuscript.Grant Support: In part by grants from the United Leukemia Fund and Cancer Research and Treatment Fund, Inc. No funds for this study were requested or provided by Schering Corporation, the manufacturer of recombinant interferon- 2b (Intron-A). However, three patients have been supplied with Intron-A on a compassionate basis at my request. 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