Hairy cell leukemia: results of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine therapy in Jerusalem

Since the introduction of adenosine deaminase analogues the vast majority of patients with Hairy cell leukemia obtain lasting complete remission. In this report we describe our experience with 2 CdA in 18 patients with Hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Ten of these had failed previous interferon therapy, 6 were splenectomized before and of these, 4 had also received interferon. Sixteen of the 18 patients receiving 2 CdA achieved complete remission (CR), 1 patient is in good partial response (GPR) and 1 patient has relapsed. These results are in keeping with those reported from other larger centers and confirm the efficacy of 2-CdA. In this report IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were performed in most of the patients and found to be an accurate indicator of disease activity. Mean levels prior to therapy were 17200 U/ml (+/- 2500) and after successful therapy 970 U/ml (+/- 160). We confirm that 2-CdA treatment is the treatment of choice in HCL and suggest that sIL-2 levels be used as a parameter of disease activity.