Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of treatment of Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine. The evaluation was based on our own experience as well as on the data published previously in the literature.
Material and methods: 25 patients with Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (MW) were treated with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) at the dose of 0.14 mg/kg b.w./day for five consecutive days as 2-hour intravenous infusions. Chemotherapy was repeated every 28 to 35 days.
Results: In one case (4%) a complete remission and in 15 patients (60%) a partial remission was achieved. In 6 patients (24%) stabilization of the disease was observed while in 3 patients (12%) progression was noted during the treatment. As a result of the therapy, the mean monoclonal protein concentration decreased from 28.7 g/l (range 5.5-62.5 g/l) to 16.7 g/l (range 0-62.9 g/l) and the mean hemoglobin concentration increased from 10.6 g/dl (range 6.9-13.4) to 12.4 g/dl (range 8.2-14.8 g/dl).
Conclusion: Our own experience, as well as conclusions of other authors, confirm the effectiveness of 2-CdA in MW treatment. Both the results of treatment and intensity of side effects observed in our treatment group were comparable to those described in previous reports.