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Effect of schedule on activity and toxicity of 5‐azacytidine in acute leukemia: A southwest oncology group study
Author(s) -
Saiki J. H.,
Bodey G. P.,
Hewlett J. S.,
Amare M.,
Morrision F. S.,
Wilson H. E.,
Linman J. W.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19810401)47:7<1739::aid-cncr2820470702>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - medicine , stupor , vomiting , nausea , rash , toxicity , diarrhea , chemotherapy , coma (optics) , gastroenterology , leukemia , mucositis , surgery , anesthesia , physics , optics
One‐hundred‐fifty‐four patients with acute leukemia and extensive prior chemotherapy were treated with 5‐Azacytidine and evaluated according to five different schedules. One‐hundred‐twenty patients received adquate trials; 34 patients died within 14 days of onset of treatment. Nine patients achieved a complete remission (CR) and two achieved a partial remission. Although two of the treatments have a higher remission rate, the data were not statistically significant. The median time to CR was 48 days (range 21–173). The median duration of CR was 65 days (range 39–369). There was no difference in responders. Proportionately there were more women among responders (5M/6F) and more men (70M/39F) among nonresponders. At onset of therapy the median leukocyte counts were similar between responding (5.4 × 10 3 ) and nonresponding (5.7 × 10 3 ) patients, but the proportion of leukemic cells was significantly higher among nonresponding patients (46% vs. 7%). Toxicities included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, myalgias, prolonged myelosuppression, hypotension, and central nervous system stupor and/or coma. Lower dose continous infusion schedules of five‐, seven‐, and ten‐days duration appear effective and were associated with less toxicity.