[Subcutaneous therapy of hairy cell leukemia with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine].

The efficacy of subcutaneous 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) was explored in eight patients with symptomatic hairy cell leukemia. This study is an interim report of a larger ongoing internordic multicentre clinical trial of subcutaneous 2-CdA in patients with hairy cell leukemia. The present results strongly indicate that subcutaneous therapy with 2-CdA induces an impressive therapeutic response which is fully comparable to the traditional continuous intravenous treatment with 2-CdA. The morbidity was acceptable, and the patient compliance to subcutaneous 2-CdA was excellent. In terms of the rate of complete remission (70-90%), therapy with 2-CdA in hairy cell leukemia is superior to any other drug. Consequently, 2-CdA is expected soon to displace both interferon alpha and deoxycoformycin as first line therapy in hairy cell leukemia. A long follow-up time is required, though, to decide whether 2-CdA is capable of curing patients with hairy cell leukemia.