title: 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia associated with autoimmune haemolysis.
abstract: 7 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) associated with autoimmune haemolysis were treated with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) in 0.14 mg/kg/day 2 hour infusion for 5 consecutive days. 2 patients had concurrent immune thrombocytopenia. All patients received prior therapy and either failed or the continuation of prior therapy was contraindicated. The median follow up was 8 months. 5 patients responded: 2 patients experienced complete remission (for 3 months), 3 patients experienced partial remission; 2 patients did not respond. However the decrease of haemolysis was achieved in 6 patients. Therapy was well tolerated. Myelosupression associated with severe infections was the main toxicity. Our results show that 2-CdA may induce remission and resolution of haemolysis in some patients with CLL and concurrent autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University Medical School of Gdańsk.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zaucha
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hałaburda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ciepłuch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hellmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017338:Cladribine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017338:Cladribine