title: Immunoglobulin DNA Analysis as a Marker of Clonality in the Follow-up of Patients with Hairy Cell Leukemia Treated with Alpha-Interferon.
abstract: In fourteen patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) the configuration of the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain genes was used as a marker of clonality, to monitor the response of the neoplastic population to treatment with alpha-interferon (a-IFN). In agreement with the morphological, hematological and immunological data, twelve of them showed, after a variable length of therapy, a complete disappearance of rearranged bands in peripheral blood cells. In one patient, who was treated less intensively, the molecularly-defined neoplastic population was still present on two consecutive determinations, whilst in the last patient persistence of disease was repeatedly documented despite prolonged A-IFN treatment. Three further cases were analyzed sequentially: in two, no rearranged bands could be found at repeated determinations; the third, who was in complete remission whilst on 3 × 10(6) U of α-IFN every other day, showed recurrence of disease nine months later when on a maintenance protocol with 3 × 10(6) U/weekly. Nine bone marrow specimens were also analyzed following treatment with α-IFN. In four a monoclonally rearranged band could still be detected, while in another four, reversal of fibrosis and hemopoietic recovery wits coupled with the absence of a molecularly recognizable neoplastic clone. In the last (case, persistence of disease paralleled the findings in the peripheral blood cells. These data indicate that α-IFPJ is capable of producing a specific cytolytic effect on the leukemic population in HCL, which in some cases may lead to complete clonal remissions. Analysis at the DNA level may represent a valuable tool towards monitoring the clinical course of HCL patients and for optimal individual therapeutic scheduling.
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Clinica Medica, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foä
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Clinica Medica, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tassinari
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Clinica Medica, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fierro
authors.affiliation: b Istituto di Ematologia "L. & A. Seragnoli", University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raspadori
authors.affiliation: c Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedale San Giovanni Battista e della Città di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Resegotti
authors.affiliation: c Divisione di Ematologia, Ospedale San Giovanni Battista e della Città di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Degani
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Clinica Medica, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saglio
authors.affiliation: a Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Clinica Medica, University of Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Di Celle
authors.affiliation: b Istituto di Ematologia "L. & A. Seragnoli", University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lauria
keywords: DNA analysis; Hairy cell leukemia; Ig genes; alpha interferon