title: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy-cell leukemia.
abstract: The chronic lymphoid leukemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders with different immunologic, biologic, and clinical features. The most common of these are the B-cell diseases, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its variants, including prolymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia. The increased use of immunophenotyping has identified a number of other less common but related disorders. Despite being clonal disorders, the chronic B-cell leukemias exhibit immunologic abnormalities in multiple other lineages, the mechanism for which is not clear. Fludarabine, 2'-deoxycoformycin, and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine are purine analogues that have advanced the treatment of chronic B-cell leukemias. Fludarabine appears to be the single most effective agent for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, while 2'-deoxycoformycin and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine are both extremely effective in hairy cell leukemia. A recently completed comparison of alpha-interferon with 2'-deoxycoformycin in hairy cell leukemia may redefine the standard therapy for this disorder. Continued interaction between laboratory and clinical scientists is essential for continued progress in these diseases.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Cheson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D002699:Chlorambucil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D015649:Pentostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007370:Interferon Type I; D002699:Chlorambucil; D015649:Pentostatin