MITOXANTRONE IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE-LEUKEMIA IN RELAPSE

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (8) , 3919-3922
Abstract
Patients (26) with acute leukemia in relapse were treated with mitoxantrone (dihydroxyanthracenedione dihydrochloride). The drug was given as a rapid i.v. infusion for 5 days, and doses were escalated from 8 mg/m2 daily for 5 days to 20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days. Five of 12 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were induced into complete remission; 1 patient was induced into complete remission twice. The marrow response lasted from 3-50+ wk. Among 12 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, there was 1 complete and 1 partial remission, with response duration lasting 8 and 2 wk, respectively. One patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blastic crisis also had a partial remission lasting 17 wk. Remissions occurred at doses ranging from 8-14 mg/m2 daily for 5 days. All responders had been treated previously with anthracyclines. Drug-induced side effects included dose-limiting oral mucositis, sporadic nausea and vomiting and transient elevations of the hepatic enzymes. Approximately 1/3 of the patients had septic complications during the myelosuppressive phase following treatment. Mitoxantrone apparently has definite utility in the treatment of acute leukemia in relapse.

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