2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia associated with autoimmune haemolysis

7 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) associated with autoimmune haemolysis were treated with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) in 0.14 mg/kg/day 2 hour infusion for 5 consecutive days. 2 patients had concurrent immune thrombocytopenia. All patients received prior therapy and either failed or the continuation of prior therapy was contraindicated. The median follow up was 8 months. 5 patients responded: 2 patients experienced complete remission (for 3 months), 3 patients experienced partial remission; 2 patients did not respond. However the decrease of haemolysis was achieved in 6 patients. Therapy was well tolerated. Myelosupression associated with severe infections was the main toxicity. Our results show that 2-CdA may induce remission and resolution of haemolysis in some patients with CLL and concurrent autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.