Abstract
The mechanism of action of interferon-alpha (IFN-A) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is not known, but some evidence points at the immune modulation properties of IFN-A. We conducted a prospective analysis on 49 patients with CML in chronic phase treated with IFN-A in order to identify the effect of therapy on different lymphocyte subpopulations as determined by flow cytometric quantification and whether this effect is associated with the response to IFN-A. The absolute number of lymphocytes was similar in all patients regardless of response to IFN-A. In patients achieving a complete cytogenetic response (CCGR) there was a rebound of the absolute count of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes after discontinuation of therapy with IFN-A. Patients with resistant disease, as well as patients with hematologic response but no cytogenetic response, showed a lower absolute number of CD19+ cells than patients with any cytogenetic response. Patients who achieved a CCGR had a higher absolute number of CD56+ cells than patients with lesser response or no response to IFN-A, and this persisted after discontinuation of therapy. We conclude that an increase in absolute number of CD19+ and CD56+ lymphocytes is observed in CML patients achieving a CCGR with IFN-A compared to patients with lesser responses. These changes could have functional consequences in the control of the disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-47 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Hematopathology and Molecular Hematology |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia
- Interferon-alpha
- Lymphocytes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Hematology