Autoimmune mediated thrombocytopenia associated with the use of interferon-alpha in chronic myeloid leukemia

Haematologica. 1996 Nov-Dec;81(6):533-5.

Abstract

We report on two patients with Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase who developed severe thrombocytopenia during treatment with interferon-alpha 2A (IFN-alpha 2A). In both cases, we detected the presence of platelet-associated antibodies (PAIg) by autoimmune flow cytometry. We postulated an immune mediated platelet destruction mechanism; corticosteroid therapy was employed and interferon therapy was withdrawn, resulting in an increase in platelet count and a reduction of PAIg. Our observation reports the detection of PAIg associated with IFN-alpha 2A therapy in CML and suggests that this immunomodulant drug could induce thrombocytopenia through a mechanism other than antiproliferation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
  • Blood Platelets / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy*
  • Male
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins