Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Complications in Hairy
Cell Leukemia: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis
Abstract
Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) is a rare disorder characterized by
splenomegaly, pancytopenia and proliferation with ‘hairy’ lymphocytes.
Treatment is based on purine analogs and anti-CD20 antibodies, often
resulting in significant adverse effects. This study analyzed 20
patients treated between 2009 and 2023, focusing on clinical
characteristics, treatment response, complications and survival
outcomes. Cladribine treatment achieved complete response in 77.8% of
patients. The 5-year OS and PFS were 100% and 91.7%, respectively.
Infections, pathogens such as herpes viruses and mycobacteria, were
major complications, impacting 38% of patients. Severe skin reactions
were noted in patients treated with cladribine. The study highlights
cladribine’s effectiveness in inducing remission in HCL patients,
pointing out the significant risk of infections and other adverse
effects. Introducing targeted treatments like BRAF inhibitors provides
promising alternatives, especially for resistant patients or those
intolerant to purine analogs. Future strategies should focus on
integrating targeted therapies to reduce treatment-related morbidity.