THE INTERFERONS IN HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of biological response modifiers with a broad spectrum of action on cellular proliferation as well as immunoregulation. In the last decade, these properties have prompted several investigations of the effect of IFNs on various haematological malignancies. IFNs-α have been used most extensively. The response rate is dependent on the type of the disease. The most striking effects have been observed in hairy cell leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia. In both these malignancies the results are well consolidated and indicate that IFNs-α have modified the natural history of the disease. Results of IFN therapy in low grade lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma suggest a beneficial role of IFNs-α in the induction, as well as the maintenance, phase. The efficacy of IFNs is now widely confirmed in treating patients with essential thrombocythaemia or polycythaemia vera. However, the role of IFNs in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia is still controversial. © 1994 Baillière Tindall. All rights reserved.