Pentostatin therapy of T-cell lymphomas with cutaneous manifestations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the side effects of and response to pentostatin in patients with T-cell lymphomas with cutaneous manifestations.


METHODS
Pentostatin was administered to 28 patients who had relapsed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or peripheral T-cell lymphoma with prominent cutaneous disease. The starting dose was between 3.75 to 5.0 mg/m(2)/d intravenous for 3 days every 3 weeks.


RESULTS
Of the 24 patients assessable for response, 17 (71%) achieved a partial remission (46%) or complete remission (25%). The patients had a median number of three (range, one to 12) prior therapies. Of the 86 courses of pentostatin given, 39 were administered at doses of 5.0 mg/m(2)/d and 30 at doses of 3. 75 mg/m(2)/d. Dose escalation to 6.25 mg/m(2)/d was possible in only five courses, and toxicity necessitated dose reduction to 2.8 mg/m(2)/d in 12 courses. The most common side effects were granulocytopenia, nausea, and nonneutropenic fever. Most patients developed significant lowering of CD4 counts. Herpes zoster was seen within 1 year after pentostatin in five patients (19%).


CONCLUSIONS
Pentostatin is an active agent in heavily pretreated T-cell lymphomas with cutaneous manifestations.
Kurzrock
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Departments of Bioimmunotherapy and Medical Specialties, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Pilat
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015649:Pentostatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015649:Pentostatin