[Interferon-alpha in chronic myeloid leukemia]

At the present time, the combination of interferon alpha and hydroxyurea represents the standard treatment of the chronic phase of CML. Using this approach, survival can be prolonged to a median of about five years. A precondition, however, is that treatment with interferon alpha is initiated as early as possible. The sole curative treatment continues to be allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. If no donor is available, autotransplantation with subsequent maintenance treatment with interferon alpha is an alternative approach. In view of the complexity of the treatment of CML, it is recommended that patients be referred to a center at the earliest possible time following diagnosis.