Efficacy and Tolerance of Cladribine for Non-Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Quentin Riller1, Thouraya Ben Salem1, Jean-François Emile2

  • 1Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux De Paris, Service de Médecine Interne 2, Centre National De Référence Maladies Systémiques Rares et Histiocytoses, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Centre D'immunologie et Des Maladies Infectieuses, INSERM-CNRS U1135, Paris, France.

Insights

Cladribine shows efficacy in treating rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses like Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) and Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD). The drug demonstrated a 62% clinical response rate, with a manageable safety profile, offering new treatment options for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Rare Diseases

Background:

  • Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) and Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD) are rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses.
  • These conditions share features including CD1a- histiocyte accumulation.
  • Cladribine's efficacy in Langerhans-cell histiocytoses is known; its use in non-Langerhans forms was undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy of cladribine in patients with ECD, RDD, or non-classified non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
  • To evaluate clinical and radiological responses to cladribine treatment.
  • To analyze the safety profile of cladribine in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective assessment of cladribine efficacy.
  • Inclusion of consecutive patients diagnosed with ECD, RDD, or non-classified non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
  • Evaluation based on clinical and radiological response criteria.

Main Results:

  • A clinical overall response rate (ORR) of 62% was observed (44% in ECD, 70% in RDD).
  • Radiological ORR was 43% (44% in ECD, 30% in RDD).
  • Favorable responses were noted in cranial nerve palsy cases, while CNS involvement showed limited improvement. Lymphopenia was common, but infectious events were rare.

Conclusions:

  • Cladribine demonstrates efficacy in treating non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses.
  • The study provides new data on the safety and effectiveness of cladribine for ECD and RDD.
  • Cladribine represents a potential therapeutic option for these rare histiocytic disorders.
Abstract