Interferon-alpha: results from randomized trials

Interferon alpha is effective in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia in terms of disease control. However, it is an expensive treatment compared with conventional chemotherapy and is not without side-effects. Examination of all the available randomized evidence demonstrates an absolute improvement in survival at 5 years of 15% +/- 6% compared with conventional chemotherapy. There is no clear evidence that this benefit is different in any particular subgroup of patients. The size of benefit conferred by continuing interferon alpha in patients who show no cytogenetic response, the best dose to use, and whether it should be given in combination with chemotherapy all remain uncertain at present.