Promising combo targets rare leukemia

This study tests a two-step treatment for hairy cell leukemia, a rare blood cancer. First, patients receive chemotherapy (cladribine) to kill cancer cells, then an immunotherapy drug (rituximab) to help the immune system attack any remaining cells. The goal is to see if adding rituximab leads to more complete remissions and longer disease control. The trial is for adults with newly diagnosed or relapsed disease who have had no more than one prior treatment.