[Therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia with interferon, alone or combined. Preliminary experience]

The value of low-dose interferon (IFN) on the evolution of chronic myelogenous leukaemia was assessed in this study. Eleven patients previously treated with busulphan were analysed. Seven of them, in the chronic phase, received IFN 2 x 10(6) U/m2 subcutaneously three times a week; four patients in accelerated phase and two unresponsive to IFN were given a combination of IFN and hydroxyurea. Low-dose IFN proved capable of prolonging the remission period induced by busulphan. In the accelerated phase, the association of IFN and hydroxyurea protracted the evolution of the disease, although no conclusions can yet be drawn regarding the patients' survival. Ph1-chromosome negativity was attained in 28% of the cases. Minimal untoward effects were observed. It was concluded that low doses of IFN may induce scarce toxicity while preserving the therapeutic value.