Abstract
We conducted a phase II trial of Vindesine in 24 patients, mostly pretreated (23/24 fully evaluable for therapeutic response) with advanced hematologic malignancies. The drug was administered at weekly bolus doses of 3 mg/m2 i.v. Overall, objective tumor regressions were seen in 9 of 23 patients. The drug appeared effective in extraosseous plasmacytoma (1 complete response and 1 minor response in 3 patients) and in mycosis fungoides (1 complete response, 1 partial response and 1 minor response in 6 patients). Further phase II trials in these 2 diseases are justified. In addition, 3 partial responses in 7 patients with advanced lymphoma were also obtained. Previous vinca-alkaloid exposure did not adversely affect the response rate: 8 of 9 responsive patients had previously received vincristine and/or vinblastine. Drug-related toxic effects were mainly represented by manageable and reversible neurotoxicity and by moderate leukopenia with apparent lack of thrombocytopenia. In heavily pretreated patients, leukopenia may be occasionally severe: in these conditions a starting dose of 2 mg/m2 seems more appropriate.
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