Experimental treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Initial observations |
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| Authors: | R M Knobler R Pirker E M Kokoschka H Ludwig W Linkesch M Micksche |
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| Institution: | Department of Dermatology II, University of Vienna, Austria. |
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| Abstract: | Based on the encouraging results obtained with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (EP) in the treatment of the exfoliative erythrodermic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), leukemic form, as well as other T-cell-mediated diseases we evaluated the therapeutic potential of EP in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Three patients with B-CLL were treated for a period of 1 year. Two patients showed stabilization of disease, as demonstrated by reduction in their peripheral white blood cell count, with one patient showing lymph-node resolution. A third patient with significant intolerance to previous chemotherapy did not respond within the observed period. No significant side effects of EP were observed. Our observations suggest that EP may have a positive effect on the course of B-CLL in selected patients. Additional clinical trials are warranted to further define the role of EP alone or in combination therapy in the management of B-CLL. |
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