IFN-alpha as induction and maintenance treatment of patients newly diagnosed with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia is a rare malignant disorder of B lymphocytes. There are no studies on the use of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) as frontline therapy in this disease. Between April 1991 and September 2000, we treated 21 newly diagnosed patients using 8 mg/m(2) chlorambucil and 40 mg/m(2) prednisone p.o. daily for 10 days and 3 megaU/m(2) IFN-alpha three times a week. Patients who responded after induction continued receiving IFN until relapse or death. We found a high frequency of peripheral neuropathy (43%) and grade 3 diffuse marrow fibrosis (43%). Objective response was achieved in 12 (57%) patients, including 4 (19%) complete responders. Median time from treatment to response was 8 months (range 3-18). Median progression-free survival was 70 months (95% CI 47-93), and overall survival was 91 months (95% CI 50-132). Patients who achieved objective response lived longer (91 vs. 33 months, p < 0.03), as did patients who had lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) < 180 U/L (89 vs. 54 months, p < 0.01). Grade 3 hematologic toxicity was observed during induction in 5 patients. IFN-alpha is an effective agent for the induction and maintenance treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia patients. LDH > 180 U/L and failure to respond are adverse prognostic factors.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with a mixed-cell germinal ovary tumor.

We describe a patient with membranoproliferative glomerulopathy associated with a mixed-cell germinal ovary tumor (embryonal and dysgerminoma components). Advanced renal failure ensued without remission of nephrotic syndrome after surgery. Five other cases of ovary tumor associated with glomerulopathy and reported in the literature are reviewed. The association between membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and mixed-cell germinal ovary tumor has not been previously reported.