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Neutropenia and anaemia associated with T‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia responds to fludarabine with minimal toxicity
Author(s) -
Sternberg Alexander,
Eagleton Helen,
Pillai Nithiya,
Leyden Kevin,
Turner Susan,
Pearson Danita,
Littlewood Timothy,
Hatton Chris
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04148.x
Subject(s) - neutropenia , fludarabine , medicine , immunology , lymphocyte , toxicity , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide
Summary. T‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia (T‐LGL) is a clonal disorder of T cells associated with neutropenia and anaemia. The clinical consequences are recurrent infections and transfusion dependence. The optimum treatment for severely affected patients remains to be defined. Current therapies require long‐term administration to maintain an effect. We report the reversal of severe neutropenia and/or anaemia in four patients treated with fludarabine which has been maintained since stopping treatment. The therapeutic side‐effects were restricted to one episode of fever not associated with neutropenia. We conclude that fludarabine is effective in T‐LGL, may be given safely despite severe neutropenia and induces durable treatment‐free remissions.