A Real World Study: Efficacy and Safety of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

Objectives: Several clinical studies have reported promising results in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN-α-2a). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFN-α-2a in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) followed and treated in our clinic. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we present the outcomes of 39 patients diagnosed with MPNs (25 with ET, 13 with PV, 1 with primary myelofibrosis) who received PEG-IFN-α-2a between 2014 and 2021. Results: The average age of the participants was 49 years, ranging from 23 to 71. Most patients (92%) had received at least one prior cytoreductive therapy. The median starting dose of PEG-IFN-α-2a was 126 mcg/week (range, 22.5-180 mcg/week), administered by self-injection. The median duration of treatment was 24 months (range, 1-77). The overall response rates in patients with PV and ET were 84.6% and 92%, respectively. The most common adverse events observed during the treatment period were fatigue (71%), myalgia (54%), and arthralgia (53%). Conclusion: Our results suggest that PEG-IFN-α-2a remains a feasible treatment option, particularly for younger patients who wish to avoid prolonged cytotoxic therapy.