Interferon-alpha: mechanisms of action in chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase.

Interferon-alpha has been shown to induce complete haematologic responses in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients and also cytogenetic responses. There is a clear correlation between cytogenetic responses and survival improvement. There is not a unique mechanism of action of IFN-alpha. IFN-alpha acts directly against leukemic cells and there are also other mechanisms of action such as immune stimulation, gene regulation and growth factors or interleukin stimulation.