Serum levels of 2′, 5 oligoadenylate synthetase during interferon therapy in patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

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Abstract
We assayed 2′, 5 Oligoadenylate synthetase (2′5‐AS) activity in the serum of eight patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL) who were undergoing therapy with alpha interferon (IFN). Mean pretreatment levels of 2′5‐AS were normal, but upon treatment the levels rose to higher than normal values. Moreover, the degree of enzyme induction in serum was significantly higher in CLL responders (P < 0.003) whereas no difference was found in non‐responders. The lack of serum 2′5‐AS induction in non‐responder patients might be related to unresponsiveness to treatment with IFN. These results seem to show that the measurement of serum levels of 2′5‐AS activity may be a useful tool in monitoring IFN treatment.