Efficacy and safety of bendamustine for the treatment of patients with recurring Hodgkin lymphoma. (20th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Corazzelli, Gaetano; Angrilli, Francesco; D'Arco, Alfonso; Ferrara, Felicetto; Musto, Pellegrino; Guarini, Attilio; Cox, Maria Christina; Stelitano, Caterina; Storti, Sergio; Iannitto, Emilio; Falorio, Simona; Califano, Catello; Amore, Alfonso; Arcamone, Manuela; De, Rosaria; Pinto, Antonio
• Is Part Of: British journal of haematology. Volume 160:Number 2(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2012-11-20
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.15
• DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1048

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjh12120-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The management of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) recurring after stem cell transplantation (SCT) and multiply relapsed disease remains challenging. We report on 41 such patients who received bendamustine hydrochloride, a bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative mechanistically unrelated to traditional alkylators, after a median of four prior chemotherapy lines, including SCT in 85% of cases. Bendamustine was given at doses of 90–120 mg/m<sup>2</sup> every 21 or 28 d. At first assessment (2–4 cycles), the overall response rate (ORR) was 78% with 12 (29%) complete (CR) and 20 (49%) partial responses (PR). Upon treatment prolongation to 6–8 courses, 40% of PRs progressed, yielding a final ORR of 58% with 31% of CRs. Eight patients (two CRs, six PRs) were subsequently allotransplanted. Median progression‐free and overall survival exceeded 11 and 21 months respectively; complete responders displayed a median disease‐free survival above 9 months with a relapse rate of only 30%. Outcomes were independent of disease chemosensitivity, previous transplant and bendamustine dose‐intensity. No life‐threatening or unexpected adverse events occurred. Within the limits of a retrospective analysis and schedule heterogeneity, these results appear very encouraging and prompt prospective trials to confirm bendamustine as a valuable option in the palliative setting and in cytoreductive strategies before allotransplantation.</p> </abstract>