A new drug called 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, or 2-CdA, has produced complete remissions in almost all hairy cell leukemia patients treated. It may well be the drug of choice in treating hairy cell leukemia. It has also been used successfully against chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The treatment is based on a molecule that binds to CD19, an enzyme involved in producing and destroying DNA. In 11 the disease disappeared and has not reappeared. In all, 24 patients have been treated with the drug with almost complete success. Patients experienced no nausea, hair loss, rashes or other symptoms typical of cancer therapy. However, doctors at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation caution that longer follow up will be necessary before they can be sure of an actual cure.
A new drug called 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, or 2-CdA, has produced complete remissions in almost all hairy cell leukemia patients treated. It may well be the drug of choice in treating hairy cell leukemia. It has also been used successfully against chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The treatment is based on a molecule that binds to CD19, an enzyme involved in producing and destroying DNA. In 11 the disease disappeared and has not reappeared. In all, 24 patients have been treated with the drug with almost complete success. However, doctors at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation caution that longer follow up will be necessary before they can be sure of an actual cure.