ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of immature and abnormal bone marrow derived langerhans cells. Treatment is usually multimodal. Potent anti-monocyte as well as immunomodulatory activity of 2-CDA and its proven efficacy in many lymphoproliferative disorders has made 2-CDA a rational choice in treatment of LCH. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity profile of 2-CDA in children with relapsed or refractory LCH. SETTING AND DESIGN: This is a pilot study and we present the initial data of the first seven patients treated at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients of relapsed and refractory LCH were enrolled from July 2000 to June 2004. The cohort of seven patients included six males and one female with a median age at initiation of cladribine was 2.25 years (range, 1.67 to 7.0 years). Three patients had received one prior chemotherapy regimen while the rest were heavily pretreated. Cladribine was administered over two hours IV daily for five days and repeated every four weeks. RESULTS: After a median of six courses of cladribine (range, 2 to 9), two (33%) patients achieved PR and two (33%) patients have SD on imaging but are clinically better. None experienced grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity. At a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 8 to 52 months), five patients remain alive and one patient has died. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that single agent 2-CDA is active and well-tolerated in children with relapsed or refractory LCH.
Subject(s)
2-Chloroadenosine/adverse effects , Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Child, Preschool , Cladribine/adverse effects , Deoxyadenosines/adverse effects , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Female , Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell/drug therapy , Humans , Infant , Male , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder. Treatment options available are splenectomy, interferon, DCF and 2-CdA. 2-CdA is considered to have curative potential as proved by the other studies. METHODS: We gave 2-CdA in a dose of 0.09/kg/day as a continuous infusion in sixteen patients of hairy cell leukaemia. RESULTS: Three patients developed neutropenia post transfusion. At the end of three months all patients were in remission. Two patients relapsed at the median follow-up of 15 months. CONCLUSION: 2-CdA in HCL can achieve complete remission, prolonged survival and care as well.