Background: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), with a median age of 40
years, is one of the commonest haematological malignancies in Nigeria.
Cytoreductive agents, which were hitherto the mainstay of treatment,
neither induce cytogenetic nor haematologic remission. Alpha-interferon
(á-IFN), an endogenous glycoprotein with cytotoxic and natural
killer cell enhancer effects has been found to induce haematologic and
cytogenetic remission in patients with CML, but neuro- psychiatric
complications of á -interferon (á-IFN) usage were not
reported in Nigeria. Objective: To report a case of deliberate
self-harm in University Lecturer as a side effect of á-IFN in the
treatment of CML Method: Clinical and laboratory follow up of a
patient receiving á-IFN in the management of CML from the time of
diagnosis of CML to the point of loss of contact. Result: Severe
depression is a complication that may adversely influence the clinical
outcome of á-IFN usage Conclusions/Recommendations: Although
interferon related depression is uncommon, it is suggested that
pre-therapy interferon assays and neuro-psychiatric assessment are
carried out in prospective users of á-IF