Abstract
Human interferon‐α (IFN‐α) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)‐positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the benign stable phase. The present study indicates that IFN‐α may have a suppressive effect on Ph1‐positive clones not only in the early stable phase but also in the accelerated phase with additional chromosomal abnormalities in some patients. In this study, in addition to 5 benign‐phase patients, 3 patients with CML in the accelerated phase who had additional chromosomal abnormalities were treated with IFN‐α. The presence of the Ph1‐positive clone was estimated by chromosomal analysis and by Southern analysis at the DNA level using a 3′ breakpoint cluster region (bcr) probe. Hematological remission and the suppression of proliferation of Ph1‐positive clone to various extents were achieved by IFN‐α treatment in 2 benign‐phase patients and 3 patients with additional chromosomal abnormalities. Interestingly, in one of the latter three patients, Ph1‐positive clones with or without additional chromosomal abnormalities were completely suppressed judging from chromosomal analysis and from the disappearance of bcr gene rearrangements.
Keywords: Chronic myelogenous leukemia, Interferon‐α, Philadelphia chromosome, Breakpoint cluster region
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