Therapy For Hairy Cell Leukemia Research Articles

Recombinant α-2-Interferon for Hairy Cell Leukemia

Twenty-two patients with hairy cell leukemia were treated with biosynthetic (recombinant) alpha-2-interferon in an open-label, single-arm efficacy study. Patients received 2 X 10(6) U/m2 recombinant alpha-2-interferon three times weekly. Therapy was well tolerated subjectively with minimal short-term hematologic toxicity. Two patients had bacterial infections during the period of study, and one patient experienced a short-lived readily reversible rejection of a corneal transplant. Statistical comparison of the mean hematologic indices at study entry and after three to six months of therapy with recombinant alpha-2-interferon indicates a significant improvement in hemoglobin, granulocyte, and platelet counts. Bone marrow biopsies in six of 14 patients after six months of therapy showed a greater than 50% decrease in the infiltration of leukemia cells. We conclude that recombinant alpha-2-interferon is highly effective therapy for hairy cell leukemia.

Prognosis and therapy in hairy cell leukemia.

Prognosis and therapy in hairy cell leukemia.

Chlorambucil Therapy in Hairy Cell Leukemia: Effects on Lipid Composition and Lymphocyte Subpopulations

Abstract Two patients with progressive hairy cell leukemia following splenectomy were treated with low-dose daily chlorambucil. Both had an objective hematologic response as determined by a return to normal hematocrit and platelet count. This was also reflected in the mononuclear cell fraction by the normalization of cholesterol content, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, and the lymphocyte subpopulations. This article confirms previous reports on the efficacy of chlorambucil in this setting and describes some morphological, and biochemical concomitant events.

Chlorambucil therapy in hairy cell leukemia: effects on lipid composition and lymphocyte subpopulations

Two patients with progressive hairy cell leukemia following splenectomy were treated with low-dose daily chlorambucil. Both had an objective hematologic response as determined by a return to normal hematocrit and platelet count. This was also reflected in the mononuclear cell fraction by the normalization of cholesterol content, cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, and the lymphocyte subpopulations. This article confirms previous reports on the efficacy of chlorambucil in this setting and describes some morphological, and biochemical concomitant events.

Hairy cell leukemia: diagnosis and management.

Long-term follow-up of 18 patients with hairy cell leukemia seen at a single institution is reported: diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are described. Although the clinical features of this disease are homogeneous, it is frequently misdiagnosed initially. Bone marrow biopsy was diagnostic in all 17 patients studied prior to splenectomy. The presence of circulating "hairy" cells is greatly variable. The cause of pancytopenia is unclear: splenic sequestration was not demonstrated by 51Cr red cell studies in three of four patients. In most patients, splenectomy resulted in amelioration of pancytopenia. No clinical features prior to splenectomy could predict response to surgery. The results of chemotherapy and splenic irradiation were variable and unpredictable. Although bone marrow infiltration persists following splenectomy, this remains the only established therapy in hairy cell leukemia and is usually followed by long, uncomplicated survival.