title: Low-dose melphalan induces favourable responses in elderly patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes or secondary acute myeloid leukaemia.
abstract: We treated 21 elderly patients with high-risk myelodysplasia (n = 14) or secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (n = 7) with 2 mg of melphalan orally once a day until a complete peripheral response was obtained or until there was evidence of treatment failure. We observed seven (30%) complete and two (10%) partial peripheral responses occurring within 4-16 weeks and lasting for 12 + to 55 weeks. In relapse, retreatment was successful in most of the patients. Responses were associated with the absence of complex cytogenetic abnormalities and with a normal or reduced bone marrow cellularity.
authors.affiliation: Department II, Medical Clinic, University of Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denzlinger
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gelly
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brugger
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanz
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008558:Melphalan