Phase II study of oral idarubicin in favorable histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Idarubicin, a new analogue of daunorubicin, was administered p.o. for 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks at a dose of 45 mg/m2 in 46 patients (45 eligible and evaluable) with previously treated, favorable histology, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Median clinical characteristics included an age of 66 years, a performance status of 1, and one prior chemotherapeutic regimen. Forty-one patients were relapsing from prior therapy, and 37 had stage IV disease. Patients with prior anthracycline therapy were excluded. Responses were observed in 58% of patients (10 complete and 16 partial), with a median duration of 6+ months (2-41+ months). Idarubicin was well tolerated. Nonhematological toxicities (nausea/vomiting, mucositis/diarrhea, alopecia, and anorexia) were observed in less than or equal to 50% of patients. Median hematological values during the first cycle include a WBC of 4100/mm3 and a platelet count of 147,000/mm3. With dose escalation, hematological toxicity was the dose-limiting toxicity. Symptomatic cardiac toxicity was not observed. Median values for the resting left ventricular ejection fraction during the course of therapy were 0.65 (initial) and 0.63 (final). Idarubicin in oral form is an active drug in previously treated patients with favorable histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma: chemotherapy with BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone.

Twenty patients with stage III and IV diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma were treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan and prednisone (M-2). Treatment was given every 5 weeks for 11 cycles in responding patients. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range 45-76). There were 12 complete remissions and 6 partial remissions for an overall response rate of 90%. The median duration of remission was 24 months (range 12-79 months) and was identical for complete responders and partial responders. All but 2 responding patients have been subsequently retreated for relapse. The median survival was 84 months (range 1-108 months). Myelosuppression was mild. Nausea/vomiting, neuropathy, alopecia and gastrointestinal symptoms from prednisone were seen in the minority of patients. One patient expired from sepsis/neutropenia during the first cycle of therapy. The M-2 protocol produces effective remissions in diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. The relapse and survival pattern are similar to the results achieved with other chemotherapy regimens in low-grade lymphoma.

Phase II study of rDNA alpha-2 interferon (INTRON A) in patients with multiple myeloma utilizing an escalating induction phase.

Twenty previously treated patients with multiple myeloma were treated with rDNA human alpha-2 interferon (INTRON A) in a phase II trial. Patients received an induction phase of therapy consisting of 3-100 X 10(6) IU/m2 iv given every other day pending myelosuppression. Patients then received 10 X 10(6) IU/m2 three times a week sc. In patients not responding to the iv and sc protocol, prednisone (20 mg orally) was given with each dose of INTRON A to determine whether additional responses could be produced and whether toxicity could be reduced. During the sc phases of therapy, INTRON A was escalated pending hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. Three partial remissions were achieved in patients receiving the initial iv/sc therapy, and one additional patient responded when prednisone was added (durations of remission, 5, 6, 8, and 9 months). Myelosuppression was the dose-limiting toxic effect in both the iv and sc phases of therapy. Constitutional symptoms (flu-like) were seen in the majority of patients, but were tolerable. With the utilization of prednisone, flu-like symptoms were reduced in frequency and degree. Escalation of the dose of INTRON A was possible in the majority of patients when prednisone was added; however, only one patient (of seven) responded to combination therapy. INTRON A can produce remissions in 20% of patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. No improvement in the response rate was achieved utilizing a high-dose induction program. Although the dose of INTRON A could be escalated when prednisone was added, the response rate was not enhanced.

Combination chemotherapy for multiple myeloma with BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan, and prednisone (M-2 protocol).

54 consecutively referred, previously untreated patients with stage II and III multiple myeloma have been treated with the M-2 protocol. 50% of patients had a performance status of less than 50%. 13% were stage II and 87% stage III. In 50 of 54 patients (90%), and objective response according to the Myeloma Task Force was achieved; 10% of the responses have been complete (9+, 15+, 17+, 18+ and 66+ months). Remissions now range from 1 to 86+ months. The actuarial median survival determined from the initiation of therapy will exceed 4 years. Toxicity was acceptable with mild myelosuppression. These results confirm the efficacy of the M-2 protocol in multiple myeloma with regards to response rate and survival.