Thalidomide for patients with recurrent lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Thalidomide has significant clinical activity in patients with multiple myeloma. However, its activity against other lymphoid tumors is unknown. The authors reported their experience with thalidomide in patients with recurrent/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and in patients with Hodgkin disease.


METHODS
Nineteen patients (median age, 62 years) who had undergone a median of 5 previous treatment regimens were treated with escalating doses of thalidomide (200-800 mg per day) until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity was observed. The authors measured serum levels of angiogenesis factors before and after treatment.


RESULTS
One patient (5%) with evidence of recurrent gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma achieved a complete response, and 3 patients (16%) achieved stable disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study suggests that thalidomide has limited single-agent activity in heavily pretreated patients with recurrent or refractory lymphoma.
Pro
Barbara
B
Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. bpro@mdanderson.org
Younes
Anas
A
Albitar
Maher
M
Dang
Nam H
NH
Samaniego
Felipe
F
Romaguera
Jorge
J
McLaughlin
Peter
P
Hagemeister
Fredrick B
FB
Rodriguez
Maria A
MA
Clemons
Marilyn
M
Cabanillas
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016207:Cytokines; D013792:Thalidomide