[Hairy cell leukemia and its treatment with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA)]

In the last years a great progress was observed in the treatment of hairy cell leukaemia due to the introduction of interferon-alfa, pentostatin and above all -2-CdA. Through the programmed death - apoptosis of the hairy lymphocytes 2-CdA causes after 1-2 courses of treatment complete remissions in about 85% of previously treated as well as untreated patients. In the majority of them there are no symptoms of minimal residual disease and probability of their cure is significant.