Alternative methods of cladribine administration.
Leuk Lymphoma
; 52 Suppl 2: 34-7, 2011 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21504286
ABSTRACT
Nucleoside derivative cladribine treatment in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare example of treatment success in cancer. In fact, HCL is generally responsive to single-agent cladribine and only a minority of patients are refractory. Cladribine was originally administered intravenously as a continuous infusion at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days. Subsequently cladribine has been administered intravenously, as a 2 h infusion for 5 consecutive days or weekly for 7 weeks, or subcutaneously. These regimens are all very effective but often show relevant toxicity. The subcutaneous route is easier to administer and may increase compliance of the patient. We have had the opportunity to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of subcutaneous cladribine given at the dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day for 5 or 7 days as a single course in newly diagnosed HCL requiring treatment, in an ongoing Italian multicenter clinical trial. Overall responses have been no different in the two arms, while a much lower infection rate was observed when cladribine was given at the lowest dose. Subcutaneous administration may be deemed a very convenient route since it does not require hospitalization. A reduced dosage of cladribine may also be advantageous since it may be associated with reduced toxicity and may set the dose needed for combinations with antibody treatments.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Leukemia, Hairy Cell
/
Cladribine
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Leuk Lymphoma
Journal subject:
HEMATOLOGIA
/
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: