Abstract | PURPOSE: PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data and serial ECGs from 99 patients with advanced malignancies who received 170 courses of arsenic trioxide in either a phase I or phase II investigational study were reviewed. RESULTS: Prolonged QT intervals developed in 38 patients (26 patients had intervals >/= 500 milliseconds). Compared with baseline, the heart rate-corrected (QTc) interval was prolonged by 30 to 60 milliseconds in 36.6% of treatment courses, and by more than 60 milliseconds in 35.4% of patients. The degree of prolongation was higher in men than in women during the first course of therapy, and in patients with hypokalemia. In patients receiving multiple courses, QTc intervals returned to pretreatment levels before the second course, signifying that arsenic trioxide does not permanently prolong the QTc interval. One hypokalemic, arsenic trioxide-treated patient with relapsed APL developed asymptomatic torsade de pointes, which resolved spontaneously and did not recur after electrolyte replacement. There were no sudden or arrhythmia-related deaths. CONCLUSION: This analysis shows that arsenic trioxide can prolong the QTc interval. However, with appropriate ECG monitoring and management of electrolytes and concomitant medications, arsenic trioxide can be safely administered in patients with relapsed APL.
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Authors | Jean T Barbey, John C Pezzullo, Steven L Soignet |
Journal | Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
(J Clin Oncol)
Vol. 21
Issue 19
Pg. 3609-15
(Oct 01 2003)
ISSN: 0732-183X [Print] United States |
PMID | 14512391
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Arsenicals
- Oxides
- Arsenic Trioxide
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Agents
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Arsenicals
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Electrocardiography
- Female
- Humans
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute
(drug therapy)
- Long QT Syndrome
(chemically induced)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasms
(drug therapy)
- Oxides
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Retrospective Studies
- Torsades de Pointes
(chemically induced)
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