Low-dose oral etoposide monotherapy in adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to test the disease-controlling effect of low-dose oral etoposide monotherapy in adult-onset multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis. There are no previous reports of low-dose etoposide monotherapy for this condition.

OBSERVATIONS:

A 27-year-old man with a 7-year history of multifocal chronic Langerhans cell histiocytosis presented with severe disabling ulcers in intertriginous areas. He had previously been treated with 2 different regimens of antitumoral chemotherapy; one had to be discontinued due to myelosuppression and the other had proved ineffective. We treated with oral etoposide monotherapy at 50 mg/d (22 mg/m2 per day) for 21 days. The treatment was repeated at 28-day intervals for a total of 6 cycles. A rapid initial response with subtotal diminution of the involved skin area was found. No adverse effects were observed. The clinical picture has remained stable during the 7 months following cessation of therapy.

CONCLUSION:

Low-dose oral etoposide treatment is an adequate therapeutic measure for prolonged disease control in adult-type Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

• Authors: P Helmbold, B Hegemann, H J Holzhausen, T Klapperstück, W C Marsch
• Journal: Archives of dermatology (Arch Dermatol) Vol. 134 Issue 10 Pg. 1275-8 (Oct 1998) ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States
• PMID: 9801684 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Etoposide

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Etoposide (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell (drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Male