Efficacy of pipobroman in the treatment of polycythemia vera: long-term results in 163 patients

Institute of Hematology, University of Pavia, Policlinico San Matteo IRCCS, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy. f.passamonti@smatteo.pv.it BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES. Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative disorder, characterized by the expansion of the red cell mass. Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of pipobroman (PB) in the long-term control of PV and to assess early and late events. DESIGN AND METHODS. From June 1975 to December 1997, 163 untreated patients with PV (median age 57 years, range 30-82) were treated with PB in a single Institute for a median follow-up of 120 months. The diagnosis was made according to the Polycythemia Vera Study Group criteria. PB was given at the dose of 1 mg/kg/day until hematologic response (hematocrit