@article{uoadl:3044442,
    volume = "62",
    number = "6",
    pages = "225-229",
    journal = "Annals of Hematology",
    issn = "0939-5555, 1432-0584",
    keywords = "MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME; ALPHA-INTERFERON; NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY",
    BIBTEX_ENTRY = "article",
    year = "1991",
    author = "YATAGANAS, X and ELIOPOULOS, G and KOULOCHERI, S and VINIOU, N and and PLATA, E and PANAGIOTIDIS, P and VAYOPOULOS, G and MELETIS, J and and FESSAS, P",
    abstract = "Thirteen patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were included in
this study and consented to treatment with recombinant alpha-interferon
(a-IFN).  These patients were subclassified:  six as RAEB, one as RAEB-T
and six as CMML.  T-cell subsets and natural killer cells were
identified in the peripheral blood with the use of monoclonal antibodies
and natural killer cell activity (NKa) was assayed before, during and
after a-INF treatment.  The treatment schedule consisted of 2.0 MU/m2 sc
t.i.w. continuously for the three months.  Prior to treatment, NKa was
found decreased in 11 of 13 patients as compared to that of normal
individuals.  Following a-IFN administration, a rise of NKa was observed
in eight of the eleven patients.  In those who responded, a-IFN was
continued for 1 to 21 months.  Alpha-IFN treatment was myelosuppressive
for most of the patients, but transient increase of the number of
neutrophils and platelets was observed in 3 and of the reticulocytes in
one patient.  Disease progression was recorded in 9/13 patients (69%)
at a median time of 17.3 months.  The median overall survival was 30.5
months (range 7.5 to 65+ months).   No evidence of a relationship was
found between the rise in Nka and the limited clinical improvement
observed.  Two NKa responders under continuous a-IFN treatment are in
stable clinical condition for 36+ and 65+ months.  The study provides
only limited evidence that a-IFN may improve the clinical course of
patients with MDS.",
    title = "THE EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT ALPHA-INTERFERON ON NATURAL-KILLER-CELL
ACTIVITY AND CLINICAL COURSE IN PATIENTS WITH MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME",
    doi = "10.1007/BF01729837"
}