[Interferon treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia]

A characteristic feature of chronic myeloid leukaemia is that in 95 per cent of cases bone marrow cells manifest the Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosome. Treatment for cure includes allogenic bone marrow transplantation, but owing to the age factor and the lack of compatible donors this alternative is only available to a minority. Attempts to reduce or eliminate the Ph1-positive clone have been successful in the short term. Results from current trials with alpha-interferon (leukocyte interferon) show that when instituted during the chronic phase the treatment produces complete remission and cytogenetic response in 70 per cent of cases. The side effects are manifest, however, and it remains unclear whether alpha-interferon treatment prolongs the chronic phase.