Peripheral blood remission of hairy cell leukemia after transfusion hepatitis

Abstract

Hairy cell leukemia is a chronic lymphoproliferative disorder characterized clinically by splenomegaly and cytopenias. Spontaneous remissions are rare and splenectomy is often performed when the blood counts worsen and cause symptoms. Three of our patients with hairy cell leukemia developed recurrent pancytopenia and transfusion-dependent anemia after splenectomy. Each subsequently acquired transfusion hepatitis and in two patients marked hematologic improvement was noted within 2 months. Complete peripheral blood remission occurred within 17 months in all patients although bone marrow infiltration with hairy cells persisted. One patient remains in remission for 12 years; the other two succumbed to infectious illnesses but with normal blood counts. The mechanism by which hepatitis virus induces hematologic recovery in patients with hairy cell leukemia is unknown but may involve augmentation of the interferon system.

Could hepatitis B vaccine act as an adjuvant to lower risk and relapses of cancer?

“…In these patients, total haematological remission was witnessed within 17 months despite persisting marrow infiltration . Further, one patient remained in clinical remission for 12 years; the other two patients died of infections despite normal blood counts . Strikingly, the patient with remission for 12 years had developed HBV, while the remaining two cases had developed hepatitis‐A.…”

“…Strikingly, the patient with remission for 12 years had developed HBV, while the remaining two cases had developed hepatitis‐A. The authors have suggested a likely role of IFNs in these spontaneous remisssions …”

“…In 1987, three hairy cell leukaemia cases were reported who developed spontaneous healing after transfusion hepatitis . In these patients, total haematological remission was witnessed within 17 months despite persisting marrow infiltration .…”

“…In 1987, three hairy cell leukaemia cases were reported who developed spontaneous healing after transfusion hepatitis . In these patients, total haematological remission was witnessed within 17 months despite persisting marrow infiltration . Further, one patient remained in clinical remission for 12 years; the other two patients died of infections despite normal blood counts .…”