RESPONSE TO THE COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF INTERFERON-ALPHA AND INTERFERON-GAMMA AFTER FAILURE OF SINGLE INTERFERON THERAPY IN CHRONIC MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA

A previously untreated patient with benign phase chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) was treated with recombinant Interferon alpha-2b. Haematological remission was induced for a total of twelve months. Thereafter, the patient developed resistance to Interferon alpha manifested by an increase in leucocyte counts despite dose escalation (up to 7×106 IU/day s.c.). Subsequent treatment with recombinant Interferon gamma failed to control myeloid proliferation. However, combined administration of both Interferon alpha and Interferon gamma resulted in a renewed haematological remission which lasted six months. © 1987 Springer-Verlag.