A phase II study alternating alpha-2a-interferon and gamma-interferon therapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

Cancer. 1991 Nov 15;68(10):2125-30. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19911115)68:10<2125::aid-cncr2820681006>3.0.co;2-q.

Abstract

Patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were treated with a combination of alpha-interferon and gamma-interferon. Recombinant alpha-2a-interferon (Roferon-A, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, NJ) and recombinant gamma-interferon (Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) were administered on alternating weeks each at doses ranging from 2 to 10 MU/m2 given intramuscularly. Of the 27 patients, 11 (41%) achieved complete hematologic remission (CHR) and 3 (11%) achieved partial hematologic remission (PHR). Responses were seen among 9 of 22 (41%) patients treated during the chronic phase of the disease and in 2 of 5 (40%) patients treated during the accelerated phase/second chronic phase. Cytogenetic responses were seen in six patients, including one complete response and five minor responses. Toxicities included flu-like symptoms, which appeared to be more severe with gamma-interferon than with alpha-interferon, hypertriglyceridemia, and thrombocytopenia. In this limited study, an improved outcome was not observed for the combination regimen compared with alpha-interferon alone.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / immunology
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma