Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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J. Natl. Cancer Inst. · Nov 1997
Meta AnalysisInterferon alfa versus chemotherapy for chronic myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis of seven randomized trials: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Trialists' Collaborative Group.
Several randomized clinical trials in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have reported better patient survival with interferon alfa (IFN alpha) than with standard chemotherapeutic agents, such as busulfan or hydroxyurea. However, the size and persistence of this survival benefit is uncertain. Our aim was to assess these reliably, both overall and in particular patient subgroups. ⋯ For patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, the inclusion of IFN alpha in the therapeutic regimen produced substantially better 5-year survival than standard chemotherapy alone.