Intraventricular α-interferon in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

To the Editor: Anlar et al.1 reported the favorable effect of intraventricular (IVC) human α-interferon (IFN) plus isoprinosine in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Theirα-IFN treatment regimen consisted of a 6-week course, 5-day/week administration, with a total of 30 × 106 U/m2 (5× 106 U/m2 each week); in some cases (not specified how many), the course was repeated at 2- to 6-month intervals, up to 6 times. We wonder whether better results could be obtained by a more prolonged administration at slightly lower doses, as done by others2,3 and ourselves4 In the eight patients we have treated since 1986, recombinant α-2a IFN (Roferon A, Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ) was given in 1 or 2 IVC administrations/week for at least 6 months, or more if no adverse effect occurred. …