title: Experimental treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Initial observations.
abstract: Based on the encouraging results obtained with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (EP) in the treatment of the exfoliative erythrodermic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), leukemic form, as well as other T-cell-mediated diseases we evaluated the therapeutic potential of EP in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Three patients with B-CLL were treated for a period of 1 year. Two patients showed stabilization of disease, as demonstrated by reduction in their peripheral white blood cell count, with one patient showing lymph-node resolution. A third patient with significant intolerance to previous chemotherapy did not respond within the observed period. No significant side effects of EP were observed. Our observations suggest that EP may have a positive effect on the course of B-CLL in selected patients. Additional clinical trials are warranted to further define the role of EP alone or in combination therapy in the management of B-CLL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology II, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Knobler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pirker
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kokoschka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Linkesch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Micksche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008730:Methoxsalen