Interferon-alpha for the hypereosinophilic syndrome
Article Abstract:
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare, incurable, world-wide disorder that is characterized by elevated blood levels of eosinophils, a type of granular white blood cell. HES is more common in men than women and may affect any organ, but most often involves the heart, and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The effects of HES have been attributed to tissue infiltration by eosinophils and the toxic effects of eosinophilic granules. In the past, prednisone (a steroid) and hydroxyurea (an agent that is toxic to cells) have been used to lower eosinophil levels; this treatment has improved median patient survival from 9 months to over 10 years. Interferon-alpha is one of a group of proteins that affect immune system function and can suppress the synthesis of granular white blood cells in patients with leukemia. A case is reported of a 41-year-old man with HES who was treated with interferon-alpha. The patient had chronic diarrhea of several years duration, abdominal pain, and anemia. Despite treatment with prednisone, hydroxyurea, and a third drug, he developed progressive anemia and low platelet levels (blood cells important in clotting). The patient then suffered a stroke, from which he recovered well. Unfortunately, heart, liver, and psychiatric complications developed, and the patient's fatigue and poor circulation worsened. Interferon-alpha treatment was initiated, and eosinophil levels dropped rapidly, but increased when treatment was temporarily interrupted. The patient regained energy, diarrhea subsided, and heart function improved. These results are encouraging and suggest that a more extensive study of interferon-alpha treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome is warranted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1990
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Alpha-interferon for severe cold agglutinin disease
Article Abstract:
Cold agglutinin disease is characterized by hemolytic anemia, a decrease in red blood cells due to their rupture, and by blockage of small blood vessels. The disease is caused by the agglutination or clumping of red blood cells by a factor that acts at low temperatures, ranging from 0 to 20 degrees centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Cold agglutinin disease may be classified as primary (idiopathic; due to unknown causes), or secondary (related to disorders of the lymphoid tissue). Certain types of immunoglobulin antibodies, which are immune proteins that can bind to red blood cells at low temperatures, are detected in the blood of patients with cold agglutinin disease. Treatment of this disease is directed at reducing antibody production. A case is described of a 64-year-old man with cold agglutinin disease, who responded to therapy with recombinant alpha interferon 2b. Interferons, proteins formed upon exposure to viruses, are important in immune function and also have antitumor activity. Alpha-interferon was previously shown to be effective in treating neoplasms or cancers of B cells, the immune cells that produce immunoglobulin antibodies. The mechanism of action of alpha-interferon in B cell disorders is not known, and may involve direct and indirect effects on immune cells and factors. Further investigation is required to establish a causal link between alpha-interferon drug administration and clinical improvement of cold agglutinin disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1989
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Interferon-alpha-2b added to melphalan-prednisone for initial and maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma: a randomized controlled trial
Article Abstract:
Adding low doses of interferon to melphalan-prednisone treatment for multiple myeloma may not increase the response to treatment rate or survival. The combination may, however, increase survival without relapse and the length of the plateau phase after response to treatment by six months. Multiple myeloma is a malignant cancer of the bones characterized by infections, anemia and bleeding. Researchers assigned 583 patients with multiple myeloma to either standard melphalan-prednisone treatment or to melphalan-prednisone plus interferon-alpha-2b. Patients receiving the combination treatment did not survive longer than those receiving the standard treatment. Blood toxicity caused by interferon led to the discontinuation of interferon in one-third of the patients before treatments were completed. The combination therapy may have caused heart attacks in some patients.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1996
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