Randomized clinical trial with alpha 2b-interferon in 26 stage A untreated B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

In a previous study we obtained a 50% response rate with alpha 2b Interferon in the first stages of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We have performed a second study randomizing 34 stage A patients, who were receiving no other treatment (8 non-treated controls and 26 patients who had been treated with 3 modalities). We obtained 17 responses (67%) with one complete haematological response (4%), 9 incomplete (34%) and 7 minor (37%). No bone marrow changes were noted after this treatment but there was a decrease in the lymph nodes or the spleen seen on three occasions. In a new randomised study we have studied the effects of the small doses of Interferon associated with chemotherapy.