Interferon Alpha        CML        Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

 ''Interferon alpha (IFNa, Roferon-A®) was commonly used in the past for treatment of CML. In up to 90 percent of people, interferon can induce a hematologic response, improve symptoms, and reduce or eliminate enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly). However, tyrosine kinase inhibitors are clearly superior to IFNa in studies comparing the two treatments.

As a result, interferon is considered to be a "palliative" treatment for CML since it is not curative and only rarely results in a prolonged complete cytogenetic response. A patient who cannot tolerate tyrosine kinase inhibitors might be offered IFNa with or without another chemotherapy medication, cytarabine.

Side effects — Side effects are a major problem with IFNa, and include fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Typically, the drug is started at a relatively low dose three days per week and then slowly increased. IFNa must be injected, and many people prefer to take their injection at night along with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to minimize the side effects.''

Extract of UptoDate

Interferon therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia
July 9, 2012, American Cancer  Society

Successful treatment of a chronic-phase T-315I-mutated chronic myelogenous leukemia patient with a combination of imatinib and interferon-alfa.
January 20, 2012, International Journal of Hematology

Imatinib is receptive to a collaboration
October 13, 2011, Journal Blood

The renaissance of interferon therapy for the treatment of myeloid malignancies
February 22, 2011, Journal Blood

Imatinib plus Peginterferon Alfa-2a in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
December 23, 2010, The New England Journal of Medicine

The 'Dandelion' problem: IFN-a, imatinib and reactivation of dormancy
June 15, 2010, ecancernews

Hypertriglyceridemia may be severe in CML patients treated with interferon-α
July 11, 2006, Wiley Online Library