Effectiveness of cladribine therapy in patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare disorder characterised by granulomatous proliferation of CD1a-positive histiocytes forming granulomas within lung parenchyma, in strong association with tobacco smoking, and which may result in chronic respiratory failure. Smoking cessation is considered to be critical in management, but has variable effects on outcome. No drug therapy has been validated. Cladribine (chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-CDA) down-regulates histiocyte proliferation and has been successful in curbing multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis and isolated PLCH.

Methods and patients

We retrospectively studied 5 patients (aged 37-55 years, 3 females) with PLCH who received 3 to 4 courses of cladribine therapy as a single agent (0.1 mg/kg per

SUBMITTER: Grobost V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4268858 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature