Gemcitabine as single agent in pretreated T-cell lymphoma patients: evaluation of the long-term outcome.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecified (PTCLU) and mycosis fungoides (MF) often show resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Gemcitabine should be considered a suitable option. We report the long-term update of 39 pretreated T-cell lymphoma patients treated with gemcitabine.


METHODS
From May 1997 to September 2007, 39 pretreated MF and PTCLU patients received gemcitabine. Inclusion criteria were as follows: histologic diagnosis of MF or PTCLU; relapsed/refractory disease; age > or =18 years; and World Health Organization performance status of two or less. Nineteen patients had MF and 20 PTCLU. All patients with MF had a T3-T4, N0, and M0 disease and patients with PTCLU had stage III-IV disease. Gemcitabine was given on days 1, 8, and 15 on a 28-day schedule (1200 mg/m(2)/day) for a total of three to six cycles.


RESULTS
Overall response rate was 51% (20 of 39 patients); complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) rates were 23% (9 of 39 patients) and 28% (11 of 39 patients), respectively. Patients with MF had a CR rate of 16% and a PR rate of 32% compared with a CR rate of 30% and a PR rate of 25% of PTCLU patients. Among the CR patients, 7 of 9 are in continuous complete response with a variable disease-free interval (15-120 months).


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, gemcitabine proved to be effective in pretreated MF and PTCLU patients, even in the long term.
Zinzani
P L
PL
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: pierluigi.zinzani@unibo.it.
Venturini
F
F
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Stefoni
V
V
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Fina
M
M
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Pellegrini
C
C
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Derenzini
E
E
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Gandolfi
L
L
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Broccoli
A
A
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Argnani
L
L
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Quirini
F
F
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Pileri
S
S
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Baccarani
M
M
Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology 'L. e A. Seràgnoli', University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine