Alpha-interferon in hairy cell leukemia: an initial Indian experience

In the last decade, 14 patients were diagnosed as having hairy cell leukemia (HCL) at our hospital; five of these were treated with the biological response modifier, recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN), as their initial treatment. Four of these cases showed a complete remission of the disease while one had a good partial response after a few months of therapy. One case is in unmaintained remission while one has relapsed with a just palpable spleen on stopping the drug; two are still on intermittent IFN therapy while one has been lost to follow up. Fever and skin rash were the most common side effects observed but did not warrant reduction of dose or stoppage of treatment. We conclude that IFN is highly effective and well tolerated as initial treatment of HCL in a country like India. Splenectomy will continue to be the first line therapy in the majority of cases but, in certain selected situations, IFN can be an extremely useful alternative.