Interferon alpha-2B therapy in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a well-defined autoimmune hematologic disorder, occurs more commonly in adults than in children. Chronic ITP can pose overwhelming clinical problems if conventional therapy such as steroids, splenectomy and intravenous immunglobulin therapy have failed. In our study in five children with chronic refractory ITP, a short course of recombinant alpha IFN-2b (r IFN) was given subcutaneously, at a dose of 5 M.U/m2, three times a week, for 12 doses. Four of them were female, and their age range was 6-13 years. In three cases a significant increase in platelet count was observed, which continued during therapy; but all these three cases returned to baseline levels after discontinuation of therapy. After a one-month interval the second course of r IFN was administered and the same results were obtained. IFN was well tolerated in all cases. r IFN can be recommended as a transient therapy for unresponsive severe chronic ITP. However r IFN has not replaced other conventional therapy modalities in long term treatment.