Historical aspects and milestones in the development of effective treatment for hairy cell leukemia.
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, but is gratifying to treat for both physicians and patients. During the 50 years since its initial description as a clinical entity, hematologists have been fascinated by the bizarre appearance of the malignant cell with its hair-like projections. Therapeutic strategies have evolved from splenectomy to interfere to the purine analogues which have become the treatments of-choice and are very effective. Immunoconjugate Therapy with BL22 (anti-CD22 [corrected] antibody linked to truncated to Pseudomonas exotoxin) represents the newest milestone in the development of effective treatment for hairy cell leukemia.
Tallman
Martin S
MS
Feinberg School of Medicine, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. m-tallman@northwestern.edu
Polliack
Aaron
A
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D011687:Purines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013156:Splenectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018796:Immunoconjugates; D011687:Purines