Long-Term Treatment with Alpha-Interferon of Excessive Thrombocytosis in Myeloproliferative Disorders

Long-term alpha-interferon (IFN-α) treatment was initiated in 31 patients with excessive thrombocytosis due to myeloproliferative disorders: 9 with essential thrombocythemia (ET); 12, polycythemia vera (PV); 5 with idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF); and 5 with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). After 12 months of IFN treatment 22 patients were randomized either to continuation or withdrawal of the treatment.