The treatment of lymphoblastic lymphoma with antithymocyte globulin.

A 20-year-old man with previously treated lymphoblastic lymphoma, a known T-cell disorder, developed progressive disease despite intensive combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone. He was subsequently treated with a 21-day course of intravenous antithymocyte globulin at a dose of approximately 15mg/kg per day. This resulted in a marked reduction in lymphadenopathy as determined by physical examination and chest x-ray. Toxicity was limited to minor pruritus which resolved with diphenyldramine and hydrocortisone premedication.