T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia: treatment experience with fludarabine

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the results of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia treatment with fludarabine by assessing the complete hematologic response, the complete molecular response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. METHODS: We evaluated the records of six patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia who were treated with fludarabine as a first-, second-, or third-line therapy, at a dose of 40 mg/m², for three to five days per month and 6 to 8 cycles. RESULTS: Of the six patients investigated with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia who were treated with fludarabine, five (83.3%) were female, and their median age was 36.5 years (range 18 to 73). The median lymphocyte level was 3.4x10(9)/L (0.5 to 8.9). All patients exhibited a monoclonal T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement at diagnosis. Two (33.3%) patients received fludarabine as first-line treatment, two (33.3%) for refractory disease, one (16.6%) for relapsed disease after the suspension of methotrexate treatment dueto liver toxicity, and one (16.6%) due to dyspesia. A complete hematologic response was achieved in all cases, and a complete molecular response was achieved in five out six cases (83.3%). During a mean follow-up period of 12 months, both the progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 100%. CONCLUSION: T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia demonstrated a high rate of complete hematologic and molecular response to fludarabine, with excellent compliance and tolerability rates. To confirm our results in this rare disease, we believe that fludarabine should be tested in clinical trials as a first-line treatment for T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

Trasplante de células hematopoyéticas de sangre periférica utilizando quimioterapia inmunosupresora sin destrucción de la médula ósea: "minitrasplante" / Peripheral blood hematopoietic cell transplant using immunosuppressive chemotherapy without bone marrow destruction: minitransplant

Using a nonmyeloablative, immunosuppressive, fludarabine (FLU)-base conditioning regimen, we have performed allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplants in 17 patients (six with chronic granulocytic leukemia, four with acute myelogenous leukemia, five with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, one with myelodysplasia and one, with thalassemia major). Conditioning regimen consisted of FLU/busulfan/cyclophosphamide or FLU melphalan. To avoid graft vs. host disease (GVHD), cyclosporine and methotrexate were used. Median granulocyte recovery time to 0.5 x 10(9) was 11 days, whereas median platelet recovery time to 20 x 10(9) was 12 days. Seven patients did not need red blood cell transfusions and four did not need platelet transfusions. In thirteen individuals (76), the procedure could be completed fully on an outpatient basis. Follow-up times range between 1 and 14 months. Five of 17 patients developed acute GVHD whereas 4/10 developed chronic GVHD. The 14-month survival (SV) is 70 and median SV is not reached. Five patients (29) have died, three due to relapse of the disease and two due to GVHD. The transplant-related mortality was 5.8. This procedure is substantially less costly than its counterpart, using in-hospital myeloablative conditioning regimens, and may represent another approach in management of patients requiring allogeneic stem cell transplant.