Interferon-alpha induced severe thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of the literature

Li Li; Da-Kang Han; Jun Lu

doi:10.3748/wjg.v16.i11.1414

Interferon-alpha induced severe thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of the literature

World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Mar 21;16(11):1414-7. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i11.1414.

Authors

Li Li¹, Da-Kang Han, Jun Lu

Affiliation

¹ Tumor Biotherapy Ward of Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.

Abstract

We report a case of severe thrombocytopenia following pegylated interferon-alpha 2a (Peg-IFN-alpha 2a) treatment of hepatitis C virus infection and summarize the clinical characteristics of 16 cases of IFN-alpha induced severe thrombocytopenia and its immune-mediated mechanism. Discontinuation of IFN-alpha and early administration of immunosuppressants are the effective therapy for IFN-alpha induced severe thrombocytopenia.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Female
Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
Humans
Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
Interferon-alpha / immunology
Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
Middle Aged
Polyethylene Glycols / adverse effects*
Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
Recombinant Proteins
Thrombocytopenia / chemically induced*
Thrombocytopenia / immunology

Substances

Interferon alpha-2
Interferon-alpha
Recombinant Proteins
Polyethylene Glycols
peginterferon alfa-2a