VM-26, A NEW ANTI-CANCER DRUG WITH EFFECTIVENESS IN MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMA - EASTERN COOPERATIVE ONCOLOGY GROUP-STUDY (EST 1474)

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 7-11
Abstract
Patients (36) with stage III and IV Hodgkin''s disease and non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma, who had become refractory to conventional chemotherapy, were treated with VM-26 [4''-demethylepipodophyllotoxin thenylidene-.beta.-D-glucopyranoside]. Complete remissions were documented in 2 patients with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. Six patients (4 with non-Hodgkin''s lymphomas and 2 with Hodgkin''s disease) had partial remissions. The overall response rate was 22% (8 of 36 patients). Hematologic toxicity was the most frequent dose-limiting toxicity. Nonhematologic toxic effects were mild and acceptable. VM-26 can produce tumor responses in refractory lymphomas. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [USA] is currently planning 2 new phase II studies to incorporate VM-26 with other active new agents, 1 involving hexamethylmelamine; the other involving cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II).