MCNU in the treatment of essential thrombocythemia--a pilot study.
The efficacy of a single dose of MCNU 150 mg was evaluated in nine symptomatic patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). As the platelet counts increased during the following 4 weeks, an extra dose of 100 mg of MCNU was administered to three patients. All patients had thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications. Seven patients responded. The mean platelet count decreased to below 1.0 x 10(12)/l within 5 weeks; it reached its lowest level (0.35 x 10(12)/l) at 6 weeks and became stable at less than 1.0 x 10(12)/l without further therapy for 12 weeks in all patients. Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications ameliorated within 4 weeks in all patients. Our study indicates that MCNU acts as a platelet-reducing agent in patients with ET.
Murakami
H
H
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan.
Tamura
J
J
Sawamura
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010976:Platelet Count; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; C020766:ranimustine