Interferon and the treatment of polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis

Abstract

Recombinant IFN-α (rIFN-α) induces complete hematologic remissions in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), but its use has been limited by side effects owing to the relatively high doses used. Now, low-dose rIFN-α is stressed, starting relatively early in the course of the MPNs. In polycythemia vera, this has resulted in a significant clinical, hematologic, morphologic and molecular response manifested by reduction in the JAK2^V617F allele burden, sustained even after discontinuation of recombinant IFN. In essential thrombocythemia, platelet count reduction is prompt and durable without treatment for varying periods. In hypercellular primary myelofibrosis, rIFN-α has restored normal blood counts, reduced splenomegaly and induced morphologic marrow remissions. This article highlights our current use of rIFN-α in MPNs.

Keywords::

• bone marrow fibrosis
• essential thrombocythemia
• interferon
• JAK2 mutation
• myeloproliferative disorders
• myeloproliferative neoplasms
• Philadelphia-negative neoplasms
• polycythemia vera
• primary myelofibrosis

Acknowledgements

Elena Lascu assisted in the literature review and provided technical assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors were supported in part by the William and Judy Higgins trust and the Johns Family of the Cancer Research and Treatment Fund, Inc., NY, USA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.