Remission of psoriasis after treatment with interferon-alfa and 2-chlordeoxyadenosine for hairy cell leukemia

2-Chlordeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) is an antineoplastic/immunosuppressive agent used to treat hairy cell leukemia (HCL)I chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and low-grade lymphomas. Its immunomodulatory properties, however, may allow it s future use in the treatment of psoriasis. We report a patient with psoria sis and HCL who was treated for I week with continuous intravenous infusion of 2-CdA for recurring HCL. Both the psoriasis and the HCL cleared. Four y ears after 2-CdA treatment, the patient has psoriasis on only 1% of his bod y surface area. 2-CdA induces lymphocytopenia, which may explain the improv ement in this patient's psoriasis.