Interferon in chronic myeloid leukaemia: Is it useful for treatment-free remission?

The role of IFNα in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients who have achieved a deep molecular response (DMR) is still unknown. The study reported by Irani et al., which shows the prospective biological effects of the drug in combination with a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, pave the way for further clinical studies aimed at increasing the rate of DMR for a possible successful discontinuation. Commentary on: Irani et al. Immune modulation in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with nilotinib and interferon-alpha. Br J Haematol 2023 (Online ahead of print). doi: 10.1111/bjh.18984.