Treatment of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the activity of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2CdA) in the treatment of patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.


METHODS
Uncontrolled phase II trial.


METHODS
Tertiary, referral cancer center.


METHODS
Twenty-nine consecutive, symptomatic patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, of whom 9 were previously untreated.


METHODS
2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight per day for 7 days. Only two courses of 2CdA were given and responding patients were then followed without further treatment.


RESULTS
A total of 17 (59%) patients responded, including all of those who were newly diagnosed and 40% of those who had failed previous therapies. Treatment was well tolerated except for one death in a patient who had presented with severe pancytopenia. With a median follow-up of 7 months, only one responding patient has relapsed.


CONCLUSIONS
2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine is a nucleoside analog that was effective in most patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and was associated with little toxicity.
Dimopoulos
M A
MA
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Kantarjian
H
H
Estey
E
E
O'Brien
S
S
Delasalle
K
K
Keating
M J
MJ
Freireich
E J
EJ
Alexanian
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017338:Cladribine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D017338:Cladribine