Interferon-alpha 2b is not effective in the treatment of refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Haematologica. 1998 Aug;83(8):761-3.

Abstract

About 25-30% of patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are refractory to corticosteroids, splenectomy and other treatments. It has been suggested that interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) may be useful in the treatment of chronic refractory ITP patients. We treated 9 chronic refractory ITP patients with IFN-alpha 2b: the results were poor.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / therapy*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins