Cyclosporine as a Treatment Option for T-cell Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia

Cyclosporine (CsA) monotherapy is an effective option for the treatment for T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGLL), according to a study published in Leukemia Research.

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder associated with failure of hematopoiesis and autoimmune diseases.

Clinical data from 108 patients with T-LGLL treated were collected from January 2009 to April 2019.

Most patients (78%) were symptomatic at presentation with splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and lymphadenopathy (41%, 6%, and 7%, respectively) observed. In 16 patients treated with cyclosporine (CsA) monotherapy as first-line therapy the overall response rate (ORR) was 56%. In 83 patients treated with CsA in combination with steroids the ORR was 48%. In 10 patients who received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) therapy due to relapse or resistance to first-line therapy the ORR was 50%. An additional 9 patients who received a modified regimen of high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) therapy the ORR of 78%.

The authors concluded that CsA is an effective option for the treatment of T-LGLL, while modified regimens of high-dose CTX or ATG are safe and effective choices for patients with CsA refractory disease. In addition, the study provides new information on the clinical features and treatment strategies for T-LGLL.

Reference

Zhu Y, Gao Q, Hu Q, et al. Clinical features and treatment outcomes in patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia: A single-institution experience. Leukemia Research. 2020;(90):106299.