Treatment of aggressive, or progressing indolent peripheral T- and NK-cell neoplasias by combination of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicine

• Published in: Onkologie Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 162
• Main Authors: Weidmann, E, Boehrer, S, Chow, K U, Engels, K, Harder, L, Hinz, T, Janssen, O, Kriener, S, Rummel, M J, Siebert, R, Kabelitz, D, Hansmann, M L, Hoelzer, D, Mitrou, P S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage; Cyclophosphamide - adverse effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Doxorubicin - administration & dosage; Doxorubicin - adverse effects; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Synergism; Female; Humans; Killer Cells, Natural - drug effects; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral - classification; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral - drug therapy; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome; Vidarabine - administration & dosage; Vidarabine - adverse effects; Vidarabine - analogs & derivatives
• ISSN: 0378-584X
• DOI: 10.1159/000050305

Regarding standardization of treatment, classification, and pathophysiology of peripheral T- and NK-cell neoplasias the current knowledge is markedly behind that of B-cell lymphomas, which are approximately 10 times more frequent. In May 2000, the study group 'Peripheral T- and NK-cell Neoplasias' was founded in Frankfurt/M. This group decided on a clinical protocol and a scientific program for research on the pathophysiology of these entities. Rationales for the therapeutic regimen are the efficacy of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicine as shown in protocols for treatment of high grade lymphoma, the synergism of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, and reports demonstrating the efficacy of fludarabine in T-cell neoplasias. Patients will be treated with a combination of fludarabine (30 mg/m(2) days 1-3), cyclophosphamide (1000 mg/m(2) day 1) doxorubicine (25 mg/m(2) day 2+3) (FCD). For patients > or =65 years a dose-reduced FCD regimen will be administered. In patients included in the treatment study and additionally in patients with indolent disease not requiring therapy, scientific projects on the biology of peripheral T- and NK-cell neoplasias will be performed. Expected conclusions of the projected study are the establishment of treatment and diagnostic standards, and improvement of classification of these entities by clinical, morphologic and biologic parameters.