EFFECT OF TRIMETHOPRIM-SULFAMETHOXAZOLE IN LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS

Twenty-three children with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH) have b een treated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole CT-S) in a 4-year peri od. The child ren are classified in two main groups according to the e xtent of their disease. Group A includes 16 children with single syste m disease and group B, seven children with multisystem disease. All pa tients were treated for 4 weeks to 3 months. The results of treatment are evaluated in terms of response in individual organs involved. All children with single system disease had a good response to the drug. C hildren with multisystem disease had a good response to some organs bu t a poorer outcome for the lungs and for the blood. These patients did not respond even to conventional chemotherapy. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, I nc.