[Therapeutic effect of recombinant interferon alpha on Takatsuki disease]

A case of Takatsuki disease, 57-year-old male associated with monoclonal IgA, lambda-type immunoglobulin was treated with recombinant alpha-interferon daily by intramuscular injection with an initial dose of 3 X 10(6) U/day. Four weeks later, gynecomastia was improved and breast pain disappeared. Increases of cholesterol from 84 mg/dl to 135 mg/dl and cholinesterase from 0.24 delta pH to 0.48 delta pH were observed, 8 weeks later. Though, there was no reduction in serum M protein, no decrease in the number of bone marrow tumor cell and no restoration of muscle atrophy and polyneuropathy. No predominant side effect was observed. We conclude that rIFN alpha has a some potential role in the treatment of Takatsuki disease and additional chemotherapy should be considered. Significance of the therapy against Takatsuki disease was discussed.