Experience with pegylated interferon α-2a in advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms in an international cohort of 118 patients

Haematologica. 2012 Oct;97(10):1570-3. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2011.061390. Epub 2012 Mar 14.

Abstract

The Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are associated with substantial vascular and transformative complications. Standard therapy for high-risk disease, particularly in patients that have failed initial therapy, remains controversial. Non-pegylated interferon has previously been shown to be effective in controlling erythrocytosis, thrombocytosis and thrombotic complications, but was found to have poor tolerability and excessive adverse effects. Recently, pegylated interferon alpha-2a was introduced and found to be better tolerated and less toxic than standard interferon. In addition, in recent phase II trials, pegylated interferon alpha-2a therapy was found to induce both hematologic and molecular remissions. We retrospectively analyzed 118 myeloproliferative patients who underwent pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment. Responses were evaluated by ELN, IWG-MET and EUMNET standardized criteria sets and adverse effects were analyzed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
  • Polyethylene Glycols / adverse effects
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • peginterferon alfa-2a