Intermittent infusion of cladribine (CdA) in previously treated patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Abstract

Thirty-six patients with previously treated low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (LG-NHL) were included in a phase II study between August 1990 and February 1994 and treated with 0.12 mg/kg CdA as a 2 h.i.v. infusion daily x V, q 28 days up to 6 courses. Twenty-three were refractory to previous chemotherapy while 13 were relapsed. Four patients had mantle cell lymphoma, 17 follicle centre cell derived lymphoma, 7 lymphoplasmacytoid lymphomas and, 8 had small lymphocytic lymphoma. The response rate was 42%, with 5 (14%) CR and 10 (28%) PR while 6 (16%) patients progressed during treatment. The median number of delivered CdA courses was 3 (1-6) in non-responding cases and 6 (2-6) in responders. The median time to progression was 9 mo for all patients, 23 mo for CR and 16 mo for PR patients. Toxicity was sometimes severe with 3 infectious deaths (1 pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 1 gram negative septicemia, and 1 fungal pneumonia), and 6 grade 3 or 4 infectious episodes. We conclude that responses to CdA in this group of heavily pre-treated patients is impressive. However, toxicity is considerable and the rate of opportunistic infections is worrisome.

• Authors: J Liliemark, A Porwit, G Juliusson
• Journal: Leukemia & lymphoma (Leuk Lymphoma) Vol. 25 Issue 3-4 Pg. 313-8 (Apr 1997) ISSN: 1042-8194 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9168441 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cladribine

Topics

• Cladribine (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Disease Progression
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Humans
• Infections
• Leukopenia (complications)
• Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin (complications, drug therapy, mortality)
• Survival Rate
• Thrombocytopenia (complications)