The role of cladribine in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
To review clinical applications and nursing care activities for patients receiving cladribine, a synthetic antineoplastic agent used to treat lymphoid malignancies.


METHODS
Clinical trial data, published articles, reports from oncology nurses, and personal observations.


RESULTS
Cladribine has shown response rates of nearly 90% in patients with hairy cell leukemia after a single, seven-day continuous infusion. Toxicities generally are mild, predictable, and rapidly reversible after therapy is discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, cladribine primarily is used in hairy cell leukemia therapy. Clinical trials of cladribine in treating other hematologic malignancies, primarily chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, have demonstrated encouraging results.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing care for patients who receive cladribine involves management of side effects, which commonly include myelosuppression and fever, and monitoring of hemoglobin, platelet levels, and body temperature. Fever develops in most patients receiving cladribine but is usually transient and easily treated with acetaminophen. Infection as a cause of fever must be ruled out, especially in patients with neutropenia.
Ida M. and Cecil H. Green Cancer Center, Scripps Clinic Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA, USA.
M C
MC
Nelson
D K
DK
Hogan
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017338:Cladribine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010347:Patient Care Planning
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017338:Cladribine