Vol 2, No 3 (2011)
Case report
Published online: 2011-10-18
Evolution of the therapy strategies in hairy cell leukemia — 22 years lasting case study
Hematologia 2011;2(3):284-289.
Abstract
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disease in which prognosis has
improved markedly during last decades. Many authors indicated spectacular therapeutic effects
of purine analogues, including cladribine and pentostatine. However, refractory or relapsing
cases still could be observed. In this paper we present a case of adult patient with relapsing
HCL who was treated with different therapeutic methods in the course of his disease. At the
time of diagnosis in 1989, an infiltration of the bone marrow and peripheral blood, lymphadenopathy
and splenomegaly were noted. After initial treatment with interferon alpha, splenectomy
with subsequent prolonged administration of interferon alpha were used, with transient
clinical response. Upon the progression of the disease, cladribine at a dose of 0,1 mg/kg daily
on days 1–5 in every 4 weeks was administered and patient obtained complete remission (CR). Relapse was observed 16 years later when cladribine was used again with CR achievement.
Taking into consideration the risk of another disease relapse in the future, possible therapeutic
attitudes, including monoclonal antibodies, are discussed.
Hematologia 2011; 2, 3: 284–289
Hematologia 2011; 2, 3: 284–289
Keywords: hairy cell leukemiacladribinepurine analoquesmonoclonal antibodyrituximabsplenectomy