2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine in haematological malignancies.

Hereditary adenosine deaminase deficiency results in failure of the lymphocyte development. This occurs because of the accumulation of deoxyadenosine nucleotides. 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2CdA) resists the action of adenosine deaminase and accumulates in cells. In doses of 0.1 mg/kg/day given for seven days, 2CdA manifests low toxicity and has been found to be effective in patients with hairy cell leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, low grade lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. 2CdA appears like a very promising drug in these indications.