Alpha Interferon for Induction of Remission in Hairy-Cell Leukemia

We treated seven patients who had progressive hairy-cell leukemia with daily doses of 3 million units of partially pure alpha (leukocyte) interferon by the intramuscular route. Three patients had a complete remission, and four had a partial remission, according to strict criteria for a response. After treatment, bone-marrow aspirates showed an absence of leukemia cells in three patients and 5 per cent or fewer in three others. Normalization of subnormal peripheral-blood values occurred in six of six patients with anemia, in seven of seven with granulocytopenia, and in four of four with thrombocytopenia. Remissions have been maintained for over 6 to over 10 months. Alpha interferon appears to be highly effective in patients with hairy-cell leukemia. (N Engl J Med 1984; 310:15–8.) THE treatment of patients with hairy-cell leukemia remains controversial, and treatment results are frequently unsatisfactory. Although splenectomy can result in improvement and can occasionally restore hematologic values to normal, a substantial number of patients have no response or only a transient one. 1 2 3 Chemotherapy successfully induces remission in only a minority of patients and is complicated by prolonged myelosuppression and life-threatening infections, which often require that the patient receive sophisticated supportive care. 2 3 4 Chlorambucil in low daily doses may result in hematologic improvement, but it has been ineffective in increasing circulating granulocytes. 5 Recently, other treatment approaches have improved hematologic values in patients . . .