Prolymphocytic leukaemia of B- and T-cell subtype: a state-of-the-art paper.
Prolymphocytic leukaemias of B and T cell subtype are rare diseases. Despite recent advances in immunophenotyping and molecular cytogenetics, leading to a better understanding of the underlying cell biology of the prolymphocytic leukaemias, prognosis for these patients remains poor. Purine analogues and monoclonal antibodies have shown efficacy in B-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia although further studies are warranted. Monoclonal antibody therapy with alemtuzumab has significantly improved outcome in T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia (T-PLL) but responses are still transient and further disease progression is inevitable. While allogeneic stem cell transplant is an attractive option, due to the older age group of T-PLL patients the morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure is significant.
Dungarwalla
M
M
Haemato-oncology Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
Matutes
E
E
Dearden
C E
CE
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal