Characterization and sensitivity to interleukin 2 and interferon α of leukemic cells from a patient with large granular lymphocytic leukemia associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection

• Published in: Leukemia research 1997-10, Vol.21 (10), p.941-950
• Main Authors: Toba, Ken, Koike, Tadashi, Takahashi, Masuhiro, Kishi, Kenji, Hashimoto, Shigeo, Takahashi, Hoyu, Uesugi, Yumiko, Ishikawa, Toru, Aoki, Sadao, Maeo, Syougo, Naito, Makoto, Aizawa, Yoshifusa, Shibata, Akira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 7AAD/PY; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Cycle; DNA, Viral - chemistry; Epstein-Barr virus; Female; Granular lymphocytic leukemia; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; hemophagocytic syndrome; Herpesviridae Infections - complications; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Humans; interferon α; Interferon-alpha - pharmacology; interleukin 2; Interleukin-2 - pharmacology; Leukemia, Lymphoid - complications; Leukemia, Lymphoid - virology; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Medical sciences; mosquito allergy; Phenotype; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Virus Infections - complications
• ISSN: 0145-2126; 1873-5835
• DOI: 10.1016/S0145-2126(97)00057-X

A patient presented with chronic large granular lymphocyte leukemia associated with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV). Cell cycle analysis revealed a minimal growth compatible with chronic lymphocytic leukemia After 5 months of treatment, the patient died from acute transformation of the leukemia. Cells harvested during chronic phase were analyzed for sensitivity to interleukin 2 (IL-2) and Interferon α (IFNα) in vitro by means of surface phenotyping and cell cycle assay. IL-2 induced remarkable growth of the cells, whereas IFNα did not confer a growth advantage. Since IFNα was expected to have no growth induction effect on the leukemia cells, it was administered to the patient to treat the CAEBV.