Chronic myelogenous leukemia:: Effect of interferon-α treatment on phagocytic activity and capacity of circulating neutrophils

This study focuses on the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on phagocytosis of FITC-labeled Escherichia coli by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The phagocytic activity and capacity of PMNs from IFN-alpha treated patients (n=17), untreated CML patients (n = 9) and from healthy donors (n = 20) were compared using flow cytometry. Both parameters of PMN phagocytosis were reduced in untreated CML and in IFN-alpha treated CML with Phl chromosome persistence but normal in IFN-alpha treated CML with Phl conversion. Thus, the phagocytic performance of PMNs in patients with chronic phase CML is significantly improved after successful treatment with IFN-alpha. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.