Palliative chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

GOALS OF WORK: There is a need for an effective and nontoxic chemotherapy for palliative indication in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients who relapse after conventional or high-dose chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of peroral chemotherapy in the palliative treatment of NHL patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Seventeen NHL patients were treated with peroral trofosfamide (Ixoten) with an initial dose of 50 mg three times daily. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 45-78). Most of the patients had received multiple courses of combination chemotherapy.

MAIN

RESULTS

The overall response rate (complete remission and partial remission) was 53% (95% confidence interval 29-77), and median response duration was 7 months. Cross-resistance was not observed between trofosfamide and chlorambucil. Grade 1-3 hematological toxicity occurred in 16 patients. Other side effects, including mild or moderate nausea, neurotoxicity, alopecia and fatigue, did not require dose adjustments. No fatal complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

Trofosfamide as a palliative regimen is feasible and effective in NHL patients even following previous heavy treatment.