Multiply relapsing hairy cell leukemia responsive to repeated courses of rituximab: a case report

Hematology. 2006 Aug;11(4):267-70. doi: 10.1080/10245330600841600.

Abstract

While cladribine is a highly effective therapy for patients with symptomatic hairy cell leukemia (HCL), up to 37% of patients ultimately relapse and incompletely responding patients relapse more frequently. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against CD20 that has been shown to be effective in patients with relapsed HCL. We present an unusual case of successful multiple re-treatments with rituximab in a patient with heavily pre-treated HCL and briefly review the relevant literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Cladribine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Hairy Cell / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Salvage Therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Cladribine
  • Rituximab