Effect of long-term treatment with human leukocyte interferon on various laboratory parameters

Leukocyte interferon was given by i.m. injection as adjuvant therapy to 9 patients with osteosarcoma. The dose was 3 X 10(6) standard units daily for one month, and then 3 times a week for the next 17 months. Blood samples were drawn at intervals for a number of routine tests during the 18-month course of interferon administration and during the subsequent 18 months. On withdrawal of the interferon treatment, the mean Hb concentration rose significantly and the mean ESR fell significantly. There was no significant change in the leukocyte and platelet counts or in the alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase or plasma protein levels.