Secondary treatment of polycythemia rubra vera with 6-thioguanine.
6-thioguanine, an antimetabolite not potentiated by allopurinol, has been used in the treatment of 29 patients with polycythemia vera. All but two of the patients had been treated previously by venesection and/or radioactive phosphorus (32p) and/or alkylating agents. The usual dose was 40-160 mg daily alternate weeks according to individual response. The treatment period varied from 6-66 months (mean, 31 months). Of 27 evaluable patients 24 (89%) responded to treatment and at one year there was a significant fall in all blood count parameters. Seven patients relapsed while on treatment and four were withdrawn because of side effects. 6-thioguanine merits further evaluation in the management of polycythemia vera, particularly in those patients who have received large cumulative doses of 32p and/or alkylating agents and in whom an alternative mode of therapy is desirable.
D000368:Aged; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013866:Thioguanine