Interferon- 2b: A New Treatment for Polycythemia Vera
Authors: Richard T. Silver
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1993)

Brief Reports1 December 1993Interferon- 2b: A New Treatment for Polycythemia VeraRichard T. Silver, MDRichard T. Silver, MDFrom the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-119-11-199312010-00006 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Polycythemia vera is characterized by an increased red cell mass and thrombohemorrhagic complications. In general, treatment has consisted of phlebotomy to reduce the red cell mass. However, because treatment with phlebotomy only is associated with early, frequently fatal thrombosis or hemorrhage [1], myelosuppressive therapy is also used. Unfortunately, the agents used, chlorambucil and radioactive phosphorus, are leukemogenic [1].Although hydroxyurea is used as an alternative drug, a potential for leukemia still exists [2], especially in patients who develop postpolycythemic myeloid metaplasia [3]. Despite conventional treatment, many patients experience night sweats and pruritus [4] and develop iron deficiency. The inexorable course ...References1. Berk PD, Goldberg JD, Donovan PB, Fruchtman SM, Berlin NI, Wasserman LR. Therapeutic recommendations in polycythemia vera based on Polycythemia Vera Study Group protocols. Semin Hematol. 1986; 23:132-43. Google Scholar2. Donovan PB, Kaplan ME, Goldberg JD, Tatarsky I, Najean Y, Silberstein EB, et al. Treatment of polycythemia vera with hydroxyurea. Am J Hematol. 1984; 17:329-34. Google Scholar3. Nand S, Messmore H, Fisher SG, Biro ML, Schulz W, Fisher RI. Leukemia transformation in polycythemia vera: analysis of risk factors. Am J Hematol. 1990; 34:32-6. Google Scholar4. Ariad S, Bezwoda WR. Alpha-interferon for polycythemia vera (Letter). Blood. 1991; 77:670. Google Scholar5. Talpaz M, Mavligit G, Keating M, Walters RS, Gutterman JU. Human leukocyte interferon to control thrombocytosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Ann Intern Med. 1983; 99:789-92. Google Scholar6. Sacchi SL, Tabilio A, Leoni P, Riccardi A, Vecchi A, Messora C, et al. Interferon -2b in the long-term treatment of essential thrombocythemia. Ann Hematol. 1991; 63:206-9. Google Scholar7. Lin SL, Kikuchi T, Pledger WJ, Tamm I. Interferon inhibits the establishment of competence in Go/S phase transition. Science. 1986; 233:356-9. Google Scholar8. Keutzer JC, Sytkowski AJ. Platelet-derived growth factor and erythropoiesis (Abstract 303a). Blood. 1991; 78(Suppl 1):1204. Google Scholar9. Means RT, Krantz SB. Inhibition of human erythroid colony-forming units (CFU-E) by interferons: Different modes of action for , and interferons (Abstract 306a). Blood. 1991; 78: 1215. Google Scholar10. Silver RT. A new treatment for polycythemia vera: recombinant interferon alfa. Blood. 1990; 76:664-5. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Richard T. Silver, MDAffiliations: From the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York.Corresponding Author: Richard T. Silver, MD, Section of Clinical Oncology Chemotherapy Research, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68 Street, Box 581, New York, NY 10021.Acknowledgments: The author thanks Helen Zurawinsky, BS, for administrative assistance, Audrey Gutfriend, BS, RN, for patient care responsibilities, and Arthur Sawitsky, MD, and Ted P. Szatrowski, MD, PhD, for review of the manuscript.Grant Support: In part by grants from the United Leukemia Fund and Cancer Research and Treatment Fund, Inc. No funds for this study were requested or provided by Schering Corporation, the manufacturer of recombinant interferon- 2b (Intron-A). However, three patients have been supplied with Intron-A on a compassionate basis at my request. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byInterferon-alpha for treating polycythemia vera yields improved myelofibrosis-free and overall survivalPharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b in Healthy Japanese and Caucasian Subjects After Single Subcutaneous AdministrationNovel agents for the treatment of polycythemia vera: an insight into preclinical research and early phase clinical trialsInterferon-Induced Thrombotic MicroangiopathyInterferon induced thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA): Analysis and concise reviewClinical and molecular response to interferon-α therapy in essential thrombocythemia patients with CALR mutationsThe Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Polycythaemia VeraPolycythemia vera-associated pruritus and its managementDetangling fibrosis assessment in MPNsInterferons: therapy for cancerApplication of PRV-1 mRNA expression level and JAK2V617F mutation for the differentiating between polycytemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis and assessment of treatment by interferon or hydroxyureaHow I treat patients with polycythemia veraThe treatment of polycythaemia vera: an update in the JAK2 eraUpdate on the treatment of polycythemia vera with recombinant interferon alfa or imatinib mesylateEvidence-based management of polycythemia veraCurrent Treatment Approaches of Polycythemia VeraLong-term effects of the treatment of polycythemia vera with recombinant interferon-αMinimal molecular response in polycythemia vera patients treated with imatinib or interferon alphaClinical Trials in Myeloproliferative Disorders: Looking ForwardRisk-adapted therapy in essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia veraThe leukemia controversy in myeloproliferative disorders: Is it a natural progression of disease, a secondary sequela of therapy, or a combination of both?Acute leukemia and myelodysplasia in patients with a Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myeloproliferative disorder treated with hydroxyurea alone or with hydroxyurea after busulphanPhase II study of ?2 interferon in the treatment of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders (E5487)Interferons: therapy for cancerChronic Myeloproliferative DisordersTreatment of polycythemia vera with recombinant interferonSecond-generation interferons for cancer: clinical targetsBibliography Articles Cited in CommentariesDiagnosis and Treatment of Polycythemia Vera and Possible Future Study Designs of the PVSGMyeloproliferative SyndromesThe effect of interferon alpha on myeloproliferation and vascular complications in polycythemia vera4 Treatment of polycythaemia vera and essential thrombocythaemiaLong term treatment of myeloproliferative disease with interferon-?-2bLong-term therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of recombinant interferon-alpha 2a in polycythaemia veraRole of Human Leukocyte Interferon-a in the Treatment of Patients With Polycythemia VeraRole of Human Leukocyte Interferon-α in the Treatment of Patients With Polycythemia VeraInterferon therapy of hematologic malignanciesInterferons: Therapy in CancerNew drugs in essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia veraHematologic MalignanciesInterferon Therapy of Essential Thrombocythemia and Polycythemia VeraLeukemogenic risk of hydroxyurea therapy in polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosisPolycythemia veraThe Myeloproliferative Disorders an Historical Appraisal and Personal ExperiencesInterferon Treatment in Polycythaemia VeraLeukemic transformation of polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia possibly associated with an alkylating agentSplenic irradiation for patients with polycythemia veraSection Reviews Biologicals & Lmmunologicals: The interferons in haematologic malignanciesThe Role of α-Interferon in Essential Thrombocythaemia, Polycythaemia Vera and Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia (MMM): A Concise UpdateA prospective comparison between treatment with phlebotomy alone and with interferon-alpha in patients with polycythemia vera 1 December 1993Volume 119, Issue 11Page: 1091-1092KeywordsBone marrowGrowth factorsHematocritIron deficiencyPatientsPhlebotomyPolycythemia veraRed blood cellsSpleenSplenomegaly ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 December 1993 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1993 by American College of Physicians. 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