Homoharringtonine: An effective new drug for remission induction in refractory nonlymphoblastic leukemia Journal Article
| Authors: | Warrell, R. P. Jr; Coonley, C. J.; Gee, T. S. |
| Article Title: | Homoharringtonine: An effective new drug for remission induction in refractory nonlymphoblastic leukemia |
| Abstract: | Homoharringtonine (HHT) is a new plant alkaloid originally isolated in the People's Republic of China. Preliminary studies have suggested antitumor activity in several neoplastic diseases. We treated 49 patients with relapsed or resistant acute leukemia with escalating doses of homoharringtonine administered by continuous infusion. Three dose levels were examined: 5 mg/m2 for seven days, 7 mg/m2 for seven days, and 5 mg/m2 for nine days. Of 28 patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia who received cumulative doses of 45 to 49 mg/m2, seven patients (25%) achieved complete remission. Four of these remissions occurred in a subset of ten patients previously resistant to two or more induction attempts with conventional chemotherapy. There were no remissions in three patients with secondary leukemia or in seven patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Reversible hypotension, fluid retention, diarrhea, and tumor lysis syndrome were the major toxic effects of this treatment. Our results indicate that homoharringtonine is an effective new drug for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and that this drug does not share cross-resistance with conventional antileukemic agents. The recommended dose is 5 mg/m2/d administered by continuous infusion for nine days. |
| Keywords: | cancer chemotherapy; clinical article; diarrhea; drug efficacy; skin toxicity; myalgia; hyperglycemia; gastrointestinal toxicity; hypotension; acute leukemia; cardiovascular system; remission; insulin; drug dose; drug therapy; toxicity; nutrient; alopecia; adverse drug reaction; therapy; homoharringtonine; infusion fluid; intravenous drug administration; fluid retention; intoxication; human; priority journal; nonlymphatic leukemia; blood and hemopoietic system |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Clinical Oncology |
| Volume: | 3 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 0732-183X |
| Publisher: | American Society of Clinical Oncology |
| Date Published: | 1985-05-01 |
| Start Page: | 617 |
| End Page: | 621 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1200/jco.1985.3.5.617 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 3889229 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 26 October 2021 -- Source: Scopus |
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