ABSTRACT
The development of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) resulted directly from the insights into the mechanism by which adenosine deaminase deficiency leads to immunodeficiency. The usual gastrointestinal complications seen with most chemotherapeutic agents were relatively mild during the course of 2-CdA. It is the strategy that is exemplified by the use of 2-CdA as an antineoplastic and as an immunosuppressive agent. Because the only toxicity of 2-CdA noted in early studies was marrow suppression, it seemed to us that this drug might be valuable in preparing patients with lymphomas and leukemias for bone marrow transplantation because destruction of the marrow in such patients was a part of the therapeutic aim. The 2-CdA was given by continuous infusion and was administered prior to cyclophosphamide therapy and total body irradiation. 2-CdA blood levels were obtained in 17 patients and spinal fluid levels in 6 patients.
