is leukemia curable | Efficacy of rituximab in hairy leukemia

Efficacy of rituximab in hairy leukemia

Summary
Introduction > When classical treatments of hairy leukemia cannot be used, rituximab is a therapeutic alternative.

Observation > In a 82-year-old woman, hairy leukemia was diagnosed. The importance of neutropenia caused the purine analogues to be challenged, while heart disease and age contraindicated interferon. The rituximab for 4 weekly cures was effective from the first cure and the response obtained was then sustainable.

Comments > Rituximab can be a treatment for hairy leukemia, especially in patients who are refractory to purine analogues or relapse after treatment, or in cases of severe neutropenia and contra-indication at Interferon.

Abstract
Efficacy of rituximab in hairy cell leukemia
Introduction > Rituximab is an alternative treatment for hairy cell leukemia, when the standard treatments are unavailable.

Case > An 82-year-old woman was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. The severity of her neutropenia ruled out purine analogs, while heart disease and age both contraindicated use of interferon. Rituximab, in four weekly treatments, was effective from the first treatment and the positive response was sustained thereafter.

Discussion > Rituximab may be used to treat hairy cell leukemia, especially for patients refractory to purine analogs or after lapse or in the case of severe neutropenia, when interferon is contraindicated.