Inhibition of adenosine deaminase activity results in cytotoxicity to T
lymphoblasts in vivo
BS Mitchell, CA Koller and R Heyn
We have treated a patient with refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic
leukemia with 2'-deoxycoformycin, a potent inhibitor of the enzyme
adenosine deaminase. Inhibition of adenosine deaminase activity resulted in
(1) an abrupt rise in plasma deoxyadenosine, but not adenosine,
concentrations; (2) accumulation of deoxyadenosine triphosphate by
lymphoblasts; (3) inhibition of the enzyme S- adenoylhomocysteine
hydrolase; and (4) rapid lysis of the leukemic cells. The patient died
suddenly 3 days after therapy was discontinued, and postmortem examination
revealed a complete absence of leukemic cells in all organs. Pharmacologic
inhibition of adenosine deaminase activity can result in the lysis of T
lymphoblasts in vivo, and this effect appears to be mediated by
deoxyadenosine.
Volume 56,
Issue 3,
pp. 556-559,
09/01/1980
Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Hematology