HAIRY-CELL LEUKEMIA-VARIANT TREATED WITH 2-CHLORODEOXYADENOSINE - A REPORT OF 3 CASES

Three patients with B-prolymphocytic variant of HCL (HCL-V) were treat ed with a chlorinated purine analogue, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, at a da ily dosage of 0.12 mg/kg in 2-hour intravenous infusion for 5 consecut ive days. Partial remission was achieved in only 1 patient, who relaps ed after 6 months. Two other patients did not respond to the treatment . HCL-V is a distinct clinicopathological entity which seems to be res istant to various therapeutic modalities. However, further observation s are necessary in order to establish the efficacy of 2-CdA in the tre atment of HCL-V.