ASH 2019: Interferon-Alfa Treatment Offers Best Outcomes in Polycythemia Vera

[Manouche]

practiceupdate.com/content/...

[Manouche]

« This is the first time that interferon has been shown to improve survival in patients with polycythemia vera, compared with phlebotomy only or [hydroxyurea], as well as significantly increasing the time to develop myelofibrosis »

[Manouche]

“For years, there has been argument whether patients should be treated with phlebotomy only or, if cytoreduction therapy is needed, should it be [hydroxyurea] or interferon?” said Dr. Silver. “We believe the latter, as do many others, since interferon has biologic reasons for its use in polycythemia vera. It is not a nonspecific cell poison like [hydroxyurea].”

[lebowski42 in reply to Manouche]

It always seemed like common sense to me, glad they are starting to get it haha! This is why I insisted on Interferon when hydrea was suggested.