ATUAÇÃO DO INTERFERON ALFA NO TRATAMENTO DE NEOPLASIAS MIELOPROLIFERATIVAS: O CASO DA LEUCEMIA MIELÓIDE CRÔNICA

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a proliferative disease of the hematopoietic system, characterized by excessive clonal expansion of cells responsible for differentiation of the myeloid, monocytic and megakaryocytic lineages. Interferon Alfa (IFN) is a cytokine with immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic properties used as a therapeutic option for CML. Objective: To analyze the role of INF and its mechanism of action in stimulating the immune system in the process of combating CML. Methodology: This is a descriptive integrative literature review, developed based on the collection of data from academic literature in PubMed databases, using the keywords "chronic myeloid leukemia" AND "interferon alpha", and its variation in English "chronic myeloid leukemia" AND "interferon alpha".  Results: 21 studies were analyzed, from which it was possible to observe that IFN is effective as adjuvant therapy to Dasatinib, Imatinib, and Nilotinib, being many times more efficient compared to monotherapy with these drugs; it induces important improvements in the cellular activity of the immune system; it is responsible for relevant remission rates, being an option for those tolerant to other therapies and for pregnant women or women who intend to become pregnant. However, its dose-dependent toxicity is a negative point, being a reason for discontinuation in many patients. Conclusions: INFα is an important therapeutic option for several groups of patients with CML. However, the patient's clinical status must be analyzed so that the risk-benefit criterion is established and the therapy is applied only in cases in which its activity is effective.