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Interferon-α in acute myeloid leukemia: an old drug revisited

Leukemia volume 25, pages 739–748 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Interferon-α (IFN-α), a type I IFN, is a well-known antitumoral agent. The investigation of its clinical properties in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been prompted by its pleiotropic antiproliferative and immune effects. So far, integration of IFN-α in the therapeutic arsenal against AML has been modest in view of the divergent results of clinical trials. Recent insights into the key pharmacokinetic determinants of the clinical efficacy of IFN along with advances in its pharmaceutical formulation, have sparked renewed interest in its use. This paper reviews the possible applicability of IFN-α in the treatment of AML and provides a rational basis to re-explore its efficacy in clinical trials.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by research grants of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO Vlaanderen; G.0370.08 and G.0082.08), the Foundation against Cancer (Stichting tegen Kanker), the Antwerp University Concerted Research Action (BOF-GOA, Grant no. 802), the Methusalem program of the Flemish Government attributed to Professor Herman Goossens (Antwerp University, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Insitute, VAXINFECTIO) and the Interuniversity Attraction Pole program (IAP #P6/41) of the Belgian Government. SA and ELJMS are funded by FWO Vlaanderen as PhD fellow and postdoctoral researcher, respectively. EL is funded as PhD fellow by the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT).

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  1. Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    S Anguille, E Lion, Y Willemen, V F I Van Tendeloo, Z N Berneman & E L J M Smits

  2. Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium

    S Anguille & Z N Berneman

  3. Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium

    S Anguille, E Lion, V F I Van Tendeloo, Z N Berneman & E L J M Smits

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  1. S Anguille
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Anguille, S., Lion, E., Willemen, Y. et al. Interferon-α in acute myeloid leukemia: an old drug revisited. Leukemia 25, 739–748 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2010.324

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