Safety and tolerability of intrathecal liposomal cytarabine as central nervous system prophylaxis in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Issue 8 (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valentin, Angelika; Troppan, Katharina; Pfeilstöcker, Michael; Nösslinger, Thomas; Linkesch, Werner; Neumeister, Peter
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 55:Issue 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1739
• Page End: 1742
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2013.853765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Central nervous system recurrence in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurs in up to 15% of patients and is frequently associated with poor outcome. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a slow-release liposomal formulation of cytarabine for intrathecal (IT) meningeal prophylaxis in patients suffering from ALL. Forty patients aged 20–77 years (median 36) were preventively treated with a total of 96 (range 1–6) single doses containing 50 mg of liposomal cytarabine on a compassionate use basis. After a median observation period of 23 months (range 2–118) only two patients experienced a combined medullary–leptomeningeal disease recurrence after primary diagnosis. Except for headache grade 2 in two patients, no specific toxicity attributable to IT liposomal cytarabine application was noted. Long-term neurological side effects were not observed. IT liposomal cytarabine therapy with concomitant dexamethasone appears to be feasible and well tolerated.</p> </abstract>