Is Interferon a good option?
Interferon has been used in the treatment of polycythemia vera and other myeloproliferative disorders since the mid-1980’s. Some literature reports suggest that interferon is proving superior to phlebotomy alone or with HU or anagrelide, and may become the treatment of choice for PV and related MPD disorders as it may offer the best option for improving the marrow status and delaying or preventing development of the “spent phase” in PV and ET. In Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycythemia Vera, Leukemia and Lymphoma 2000, Vol 36(3-4)pp 239-253, Michiels and others refer to interferon as first line treatment for PV, although not all doctors would agree with this. One of the main advantage of interferon is that patients can be cycled, ie a patient may benefit from several months on, then off, the drug. This agent actually improves the marrow in some patients and the improvement is lasting so they can go months to years before needing further treatment. However, there is no consensus among t
