T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare postthymic malignancy.
• T-PLL is characterized by aggressive clinical course, poor response to conventional chemotherapy, and short survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the clinical features, treatment outcomes, and therapeutic advancements in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical, morphologic, immunophenotypic, and cytogenetic features.
• Analysis of treatment responses to purine analogues, alemtuzumab, and stem cell transplantation.

Main Results:

• Purine analogues and alemtuzumab demonstrate higher response rates and improved survival compared to conventional chemotherapy.
• Allogeneic stem cell transplantation remains the only potentially curative treatment for T-PLL.

Conclusions:

• While newer transplant methods like nonmyeloablative transplantation are expanding eligibility, T-PLL remains a challenging malignancy requiring further therapeutic innovation.