[The use of interferon-alfa (reaferon) in patients with chronic myeloleukemia]

Data on long-term interferon-alpha (reaferon) therapy in 6 patients with CML (5 in chronic phase, 1 in acceleration phase) are presented. Clinicohematological remission was achieved in all the patients in a chronic phase irrespective of their group of risk. Cytogenetic improvement occurred only in one patient from a low-risk group. Reaferon had no effect in the patient in the acceleration phase. Tumor necrosis factor neither influenced viability of mononuclear bone marrow cells of patients before treatment nor suppressed proliferation. Dose independent reduction of cell viability was revealed in a patient in remission after reaferon therapy. There were no cases of apoptosis induction. Mechanisms of CML pathogenesis and interferon action in CML chronic phase are discussed.