Liposomal daunorubicin in tumor stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: report of three cases.
OBJECTIVE
Advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a hard-to-treat condition. Complete response is rare even with polychemotherapy. The use of liposomal formulation anti-cancer drugs can improve the efficacy and the risk-benefit ratio. Liposomal doxorubicin was shown to be effective as a second-line treatment in CTCL. There is no data available on another classical anthracycline, daunorubicin, when given in liposomal formulation as a monotherapy.


METHODS
Monotherapy with liposomal-encapsulated daunorubicin (DNX) was given as a monotherapy once a month at 20 mg/m(2) three times to achieve a clinical response. In the case of limited response the drug was given once every 3 weeks and a dose increase was performed. Three patients were treated.


RESULTS
A complete response was achieved in one patient (dosage 20 mg/m(2 )once per month). Two other patients achieved a partial response. The final outcome was disease-free survival of more than 10 months in the patient with a complete response and survival of >8 months and 6 months in those with a partial response. Adverse effects were grade 4 anemia in one patient, lymphopenia grade 2 with grade 1 anemia, and grade 1 lymphopenia in the other patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on DNX monotherapy in CTCL. In a small group of three patients a response rate of 100% was achieved with one complete response. DNX seems to be another option in advanced cases of CTCL.
Wollina
U
U
Department of Dermatology, Krankenhaus Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067, Dresden, Germany. Wollina-Uw@khdf.de
Hohaus
K
K
Schönlebe
J
J
Haroske
E
E
Köstler
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D008081:Liposomes; D003630:Daunorubicin