Topical bexarotene therapy for patients with refractory or persistent early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: results of the phase III clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of topical bexarotene (Targretin; Ligand Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, Calif) gel 1% in patients with refractory or persistent early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.


METHODS
We conducted a multinational, open-label, phase III study of 50 patients with stage IA to IIA cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The primary end point classification was the overall complete and partial response rate by the higher of 2 measures: the Physician's Global Assessment of Clinical Condition or the Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Disease Severity.


RESULTS
The overall response rates for the Physician's Global Assessment of Clinical Condition, Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Disease Severity, and primary end point classification were 44%, 46%, and 54%, respectively. The most common adverse events possibly related to study medication were mild to moderate irritant dermatitis, pruritus, pain (ie, primarily burning at application site), and skin disorder (eg, skin inflammation, excoriation, and new lesions). There were no serious treatment-related adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical bexarotene gel was generally well tolerated and demonstrated substantial efficacy in patients with refractory or persistent early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Department of Dermatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. peter.heald@yale.edu
Peter
P
Heald
Marilyn
M
Mehlmauer
Ann G
AG
Martin
Constance A
CA
Crowley
Richard C
RC
Yocum
Steven D
SD
Reich
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077610:Bexarotene; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013997:Time Factors
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D000077610:Bexarotene