[Low doses of alpha-interferon preparations in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloleukemia].

AIM

To compare the effects of low-dose alpha-interferons with those of cytostatics (hydroxyurea or myelosan) on survival of patients and duration of chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

107 CML patients were divided into two groups. 28 patients (15 males and 13 females) aged 17-59 entered group treated with alpha-interferon drugs. 79 control patients (35 males and 44 females) aged 15-79 received standard chemotherapy (hydroxyurea or myelosan).

RESULTS

3-year survival in the study group and controls was 94 and 67.5%, respectively. 5-year survival--70.8 and 28.9%, respectively. The survival medians for the groups were 66 and 48 months, respectively. 36 months after CML diagnosis, chronic phase of the disease still continued in 90.2% of the study group patients and in 53.4% of patients on chemotherapy. 54 months after the diagnosis the chronic phase was registered in 56.5 and 24% of patients, respectively. The medians made up 54 and 39 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of CML with low-dose alpha-interferons increases duration of the CML chronic phase and survival of CML patients.