Fludarabine-mitoxantrone combination-containing regimen in recurrent low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
The promising results of fludarabine (FLU) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia have prompted its extensive evaluation in low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (LG-NHL). Its different mechanisms of action make FLU an attractive partner for combination with other cytostatic agents.


METHODS
We used a three-drug combination of FLU (25 mg/m2 i.v. on days one to three), mitoxantrone (10 mg/m2 i.v. on day one) and prednisone (40 mg given orally on days one to five) (FMP) to treat 48 patients with recurrent LG-NHL.


RESULTS
Of the 48 patients, 17 (35%) achieved complete responses (CR), 23 (48%) partial responses, while the remaining 8 (17%) showed no benefit from the treatment. The risk of lower CR rate was significantly correlated with the presence of advanced stage (IV) (P = 0.01), the number of previous regimens (> or = 3) (P = 0.006), and the follicular histologic subtype (P = 0.02). The major toxic effects observed were neutropenia and infections; there was only one fatality, due to drug-related side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm the significant efficacy of the FMP fludarabine-mitoxantrone combination regimen in obtaining a good remission rate with moderate toxicity in a particular subset of recurrent LG-NHL.
Zinzani
P L
PL
Institute of Hematology and Oncology Seràgnoli, University of Bologna, Italy.
Bendandi
M
M
Magagnoli
M
M
Gherlinzoni
F
F
Merla
E
E
Tura
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D008942:Mitoxantrone; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine; D011241:Prednisone