Abstract | BACKGROUND: PURPOSE: This prospective phase II trial by the Leukemia Cooperative Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer was performed to assess the activity and toxicity of DCF in prolymphocytic leukemia. METHODS: Twenty patients with B-cell or T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia were given DCF at a dosage of 4 mg/m2 intravenously once a week for 3 weeks, then every other week for three doses. Patients who had at least partial response received maintenance therapy once a month for a maximum of 6 months. Fourteen patients had B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, and six had T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, as evidenced by morphologic and immunologic criteria; three were previously untreated, eight had been given one or two chemotherapeutic regimens, and nine had been given more than two. RESULTS: One patient died of an unknown cause during the first 6 weeks of treatment, and one died of disseminated toxoplasmosis during the period of maintenance therapy, 5 months after achieving partial remission. Nine (45% response rate) of the 20 patients achieved partial remission, including seven (50%) of 14 with B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia and two (33%) of six with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. The median duration of response was 9 months (range, 2-30 months); for patients with B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, the median remission duration was 12 months. No complete remission was observed. Toxic effects included nausea and vomiting (30%), infections (30%), and transient increase in liver enzymes (35%) and in creatinine (20%) levels. Eight patients experienced thrombocytopenia, the major hematologic toxic effect; four had grade 3 or 4 toxic effects. CONCLUSION: IMPLICATIONS:
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Authors | H Döhner, A D Ho, J Thaler, P Stryckmans, P Sonneveld, T de Witte, K Lechner, F Lauria, S Bödewadt-Radzun, S Suciu |
Journal | Journal of the National Cancer Institute
(J Natl Cancer Inst)
Vol. 85
Issue 8
Pg. 658-62
(Apr 21 1993)
ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8468724
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Humans
- Leukemia, B-Cell
(drug therapy)
- Leukemia, Prolymphocytic
(drug therapy)
- Leukemia, T-Cell
(drug therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pentostatin
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Prospective Studies
- Remission Induction
- Treatment Outcome
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