1 alpha(OH)D3 treatment and procollagen III (PC III) studies in idiopathic myelofibrosis

Eight patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) were treated with escalating doses (0.5 microgram/day to 4.0 micrograms/day) of 1 alpha(OH)D3 for periods up to 6 months. The treatment did not improve the disease parameters in any of the patients under study. No patient demonstrated a decrease in bone marrow fibrosis as determined by serial procollagen (PC III) serum level analysis. Although 1 alpha(OH)D3 was well tolerated at the administered doses, the therapeutic value of this treatment for IMF requires further evaluation.