title: Purine analogs in the treatment of low-grade lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemias.
abstract: The purine analogs fludarabine (FAMP), 2-chlorodeoxy-adenosine (2-CDA) and 2-deoxycoformycin (DCF) comprise a novel group of agents with high activity in low-grade lymphoid malignancies. Although all three agents share several mechanisms of action, such as the induction of apoptosis, and toxic effects, such as prolonged immunosuppression, their activity appears to be different in different disorders. While FAMP and possibly also 2-CDA are highly active in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and low-grade follicular lymphomas, 2-CDA and DCF are most effective in hairy cell leukemia. However, prospective comparative evaluations are in progress and their results may ultimately help to define the appropriate indications for and potential side effects of these highly promising new agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pott-Hoeck
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hiddemann
mesh_terms: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017338:Cladribine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015649:Pentostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011687:Purines; D015649:Pentostatin; D017338:Cladribine; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine