Interferon alfa therapy in an infant with juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia

We describe an infant with juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia (JCML), the diagnosis of which was made by the characteristic clinical and hematologic findings. The absence of a related HLA-compatible donor for bone marrow transplantation coupled with the awareness that chemotherapy is usually ineffective prompted our decision to treat the patient with lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha [alpha(Ly)-IFN]. During the 26-month course of treatment with alpha(Ly)-IFN an incomplete regression of hematologic and clinical findings was achieved. The above results, along with the easy administration and absence of considerable side effects, suggest that alpha(Ly)-IFN may be a useful therapeutic tool in patients affected by JCML awaiting bone marrow transplantation.