Alpha interferon in aids-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Objective: To determine the efficacy of recombinant interferon alpha in the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Design: Open label, uncontrolled study. Setting: Neurological unit and clinical AIDS program, Boston City Hospital, Boston, MA. Patients: Four consecutive AIDS patients with pathologically confirmed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Intervention: Each patient received alpha interferon for 4-12 weeks in a dose of 5-10 million units daily, administered subcutaneously. In addition, two of the four were taking acyclovir 2400 mg/day orally over the same period. Results: None of the patients showed any clinical response to the therapy; the mean survival was 14 weeks. No adverse effects of the treatment were encountered. Conclusions: Despite anecdotal evidence that alpha interferon is effective in the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalo pathy in non-AIDS patients, the experience of these patients suggests that the drug is of no benefit in AIDS-related PML.