title: Continuous infusion homoharringtonine (NSC 141633) in refractory acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. An ECOG pilot study.
abstract: Single-agent homoharringtonine (HH) was evaluated as induction therapy in 20 patients with advanced acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) in a pilot study of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). HH was given by continuous intravenous (i.v.) infusion at 3.5 mg/m2 on the first day and at 6.0 mg/m2/day on days 2-8. Fourteen men and six women with a median age of 43 years were treated. Sixteen patients had clearing of peripheral blasts, 10 patients achieved marrow hypoplasia, and 2 patients had progressive disease. No complete remission occurred. Drug-induced hypotension was the most significant toxicity, causing a delay in treatment in 8 patients. The median survival was 15 weeks (range 1-65 weeks) from the start of HH treatment. Despite a definite antileukemic effect, HH as a single agent cannot be recommended as a useful salvage regimen in patients with far advanced ANLL.
authors.affiliation: Vermont Regional Cancer Center, Burlington 05401.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cassileth
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006248:Harringtonines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077863:Homoharringtonine; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006248:Harringtonines; D000077863:Homoharringtonine