Abstract
Idarubicin (DMDR), a new analogue of daunorubicin, was administered orally once every 3 weeks at the dose of 40 to 45 mg/m2 to 20 evaluable patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL).
Eighty-six percent of patients with favorable histology and 54% with unfavorable histology (intermediate and high grade as IWF) achieved a response with an overall response rate of 65% (two complete and 11 partial responses). Response rates were higher (85%) in previously untreated patients than in those with prior exposure to chemotherapy (29%). Gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity was generally mild to moderate. No signs or symptoms of cardiotoxicity were recorded.
Although the quality of response, as well as the relatively low response rate in previously treated patients and in those with unfavorable histology, makes it unlikely that DMDR can replace standard anthracyclines in NHL, the drug appears attractive in selected instances, such as in elderly patients and in those with slow-growing NHL with favorable histology.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lopez M, Perno CF, Di Lauro L, Papaldo P, Ganzina F, Di Pietro N: Epirubicin in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Am J Clin Oncol 8:151–153, 1985
Arcamone F, Bernardi L, Giardino P, Patelli B, Di Marco A, Casazza AM, Pratesi P: Synthesis and antitumor activity of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, 4-demethoxy-7, 9-diepidaunorubicin, and their β anomers. Cancer Treat Rep 60:829–834, 1976
Giuliani FC, Spreafico F, Casazza AM: Preclinical studies on new anthracyclines: Antitumor toxicologic and pharmacologic properties. In: Hansen HH (ed): Anthracyclines and Cancer Therapy. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, 1983, pp 193–207
Bonfante V, Ferrari L, Villani F, Bonadonna G: Phase I study of 4-demethoxy-daunorubicin. Invest New Drugs 1:161–168, 1983
Kaplan S, Sessa C, Willems Y, Pacciarini MA, Tamassia V, Cavalli F: Phase I trial of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin (idarubicin) with single oral doses. Invest New Drugs 2:281–286, 1984
The Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Pathologic Classification Project: National Cancer Institute sponsored study of classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: summary and description of a working formulation for clinical usage. Cancer 49:2112–2135, 1982
Miller AB, Hoogstraten B, Staquet M, Winkler A: Reporting results of cancer treatment. Cancer 47:207–214, 1981
Bender RA, De Vita VT: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In: Staquet MJ (ed): Randomized Trials in Cancer: a Critical Review by Sites. Raven Press, New York, 1978, pp 77–102
Coonley JC, Warrel RP, Straus DJ, Young CW: Clinical evaluation of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin in patients with advanced malignant lymphoma. Cancer Treat Rep 67:949–950, 1983
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lopez, M., Di Lauro, L. & Papaldo, P. Oral idarubicin in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Invest New Drugs 4, 263–267 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179594
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179594