Pixantrone: a novel anthracycline-like drug for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The current treatment approach of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) relies to a large extent on anthracycline-based regimens yielding cure rates in ∼ 65 - 75% of patients. Despite being highly effective, these regimens are associated with significant long-term toxicity with a cumulative 10-year incidence of cardiovascular disease of 22%. Moreover, for the 25 - 35% of patients who fail first-line therapy there has been very little progress in terms of salvage regimens over the past 15 years. Re-treatment with anthracyclines-based regimens was, until now, not an option given the extensive cardiac toxicity of these agents. Pixantrone dimaleate (Pixantrone) is a novel anthracycline-like drug that offers an interesting alternative for the treatment of aggressive NHL.

AREAS COVERED:

This article provides an overview of treatment-related cardiac toxicity in NHL, the pharmacology of Pixantrone and the evidence supporting its use in NHL.

EXPERT OPINION:

Pixantrone is a potential alternative agent with a favorable safety profile for the treatment of relapsed and refractory NHL patients. It might benefit from combinations strategies and further development in the elderly and frail population.

• Authors: Eileen Mary Boyle, Franck Morschhauser
• Journal: Expert opinion on drug safety (Expert Opin Drug Saf) Vol. 14 Issue 4 Pg. 601-7 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1744-764X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25716061 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Isoquinolines
• pixantrone

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cardiotoxicity (epidemiology, etiology)
• Humans
• Isoquinolines (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin (drug therapy, pathology)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome