The effect of alpha-interferon on the liver in a patient with hairy cell leukemia: light and electron microscopic studies.

A daily dose of 3 x 10(6) or 6 x 10(6) units of alpha-interferon was given during two 4- to 6-month periods to a 65-yr-old male patient with hairy cell leukemia, reducing splenomegaly and decreasing the number of hairy cells. Liver biopsy specimens taken during treatment revealed predominantly decreased hairy cell infiltration in the dilated sinusoids and enlarged or vacuolar nuclei of hepatocytes, compared with those in the liver before treatment. The ultrastructure of hepatocytes in specimens taken during treatment showed cytoplasmic vacuoles, weakly stained glycogen particles, and conspicuously decreased endoplasmic reticulum. Liver tests revealed decreased serum cholinesterase and total cholesterol levels in the early stage of treatment, low levels of total protein and albumin during treatment, and a very low value in the [13C]aminopyrine breath test. No clinical reports have been made on the decreased microsomal function during treatment with interferon. alpha-Interferon damaged the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes, although it was effective for the reduction of hairy cells in the liver of hairy cell leukemia.