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Hairy cell leukemia

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The standard therapy for hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is with the nucleoside analogs, 2’-deoxycoformycin (dCF) or 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA), which produce morphologic complete remissions (CRs) in the majority of patients, although residual hairy cells can frequently be detected by molecular or immunologic techniques. Relapses continue to occur over time, but most patients respond well to retreatment withthe same agent. The longest follow-up is for patients treated with dCF, where the 5- and 10-year relapse-free survival rates are 80% to 85% and 67% to 76%, respectively. dCF is usually administered as 4 mg/m2 intravenously every second week until CR followed by two additional treatments for consolidation. CdA is administered as 0.09 mg/kg/d × 7, by continuous intravenous infusion, although it may be equally effective when given as daily boluses or subcutaneously. More recent studies have suggested that CdA, 0.15 mg/kg intravenously weekly × 6, produces equivalent response rates, while reducing the risk of febrile neutropenia (which occurs in approximately 50% of patients using the standard regimen). We have found this to be a very simple, safe, and effective regimen. Both dCF and CdA should be used with caution in the presence of renal or hepatic dysfunction, and both are contraindicated in the presence of active infection. Interferon-alfa (3 × 106 U subcutaneously three times per week for 12 months) produces inferior response rates but is less likely to cause febrile neutropenia. It can be considered for initial treatment for patients with active infection, patients at high risk of febrile neutropenia, and patients who cannot tolerate or are resistant to the nucleoside analogs. Splenectomy is now rarely performed in HCL, but it is required for splenic rupture and may be of value in “splenic” HCL or those with massive splenomegaly and hypersplenism. In preliminary studies, monoclonal antibodies directed against CD20 or CD25 also show activity in HCL, but their roles in this disease require further study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, R3E0V9, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    Lynn Savoie MD, FRCP(C) & James B. Johnston MB, BCh, FRCP(C)

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  1. Lynn Savoie MD, FRCP(C)
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  2. James B. Johnston MB, BCh, FRCP(C)
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Savoie, L., Johnston, J.B. Hairy cell leukemia. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 2, 217–224 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-001-0035-3

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