[Cytogenetic changes in Ph(+) chronic granulocytic leukemia under the influence of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha)...

Chromosomal changes during therapy with IFN-alpha were analysed in 21 patients suffering of chronic granulocytic leukemia. Complete or major cytogenetic response (CgR) was obtained in 4 patients, minor in 5 minimal in 7, and no response in 5 patients. Patients showing a low Sokal index more often disclosed CgR. In 6 persons additional chromosomal aberrations were present at diagnosis or during the disease course. They disappeared on IFN-alpha therapy. This fact may be in favour of the influence of IFN-alpha not only on disappearance of Ph chromosome, but also of secondary aberrations, some of them indicating the possibility of an acceleration of the disease. No relation of the CgR, as well as Sokal index value to the survival time in presented small cohort could be observed, which may depend on short observation time. CgR did not depend on a type of fusion of BCR/ABL gene. However, survival time was longer in patients with b3a2 fusion.