Inteferon & Cytarabine (Ara-C)

[Guest guest]

Several of our members have stated their experiences with Inteferon and

Inteferon/Ara-C. Except for these rare articles, their efficafacy and responses

are seldom seen. I found these survival rates and thought you might be

interested in reading about their survival rates on this drug as compared to the

TKI's which followed, and documentation of any cytogenetic responses, called

" operational cures " . There is also a mention of Busulfan (Busulfex, Myleran)

and hydroxyurea (Hydrea) because these were the chemotherapeutic agents used

most frequently in CML until the development of imatinib. Busulfan is now rarely

used, but it certainly served its purpose as Skip can well attest to.

Drs. Kantajarian, Cortes & Silver collaborated on this article stated below, in

March of 2010, making a late date of the printing a sort of rekindling and

resurgence of these drugs, thereby restoring them to a new life. Some of our

old timers can reach back into their pasts and dig up a few memories of their

own of the difficulties they encountered. We thank them for being a part of

these early trials, which paved the way for the strides that have been made

today. The side effects that plagued them in the late 80's & early 90's

continue to plague them in one way or the other, but of a lesser nature. We can

only say that we have been given assurances that these will be of the short

term. One treatment in the pipelines are vaccines, that while slow in getting

to the forefront will surely surface one day soon. There will be more drugs

that control the bcr-ABL as well as treatments for mutations. We have already

seen some of these that came to pass.

__________________________

" Interferon-a can induce a complete hematologic response (Table 2) in 70% to 80%

of patients with CML, and with some degree of suppression of Ph

chromosome-positive cells (ie, cytogenetic response) in 40% to 60% of patients,

which is complete in up to 20% to 25% of patients. Randomized studies have

documented a survival advantage for patients treated with interferon-a who

achieved a major, and particularly a complete, cytogenetic response.

" Patients who achieve a complete cytogenetic response have a 10-year survival

rate of 75% or more, compared with less than 40% for those having a partial

response and less than 30% for individuals having a lesser or no response.

" The combination of interferon-a and low-dose Ara-C induced a higher (ie,

40%-50%) response rate, and possibly a survival advantage, when compared with

interferon-a alone.

" Approximately 30% of those achieving complete cytogenetic remission with

interferon-a may achieve a sustained molecular remission and are probably cured.

Among the others, 40% to 60% remain free of disease after more than 10 years

despite the presence of minimal residual disease. This has been called

“operational cure.” Formulations of interferon-a attached to polyethylene glycol

(PEG) have a longer half-life that allows for weekly administration and may have

decreased toxicity. "

http://www.cancernetwork.com/cancer-management-12/chapter30/article/10165/153780\

6?pageNumber=3

March 13, 2010

FYI,

Lottie Duthu