Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:12
Identification of EGFR and RAS Inhibitors using Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: October 5, 2020
Bendamustine: a new look at an old drug
1Chronic Leukemia and Myeloma Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. kalaycm@ccf.org
Cancer
|January 2, 2009
Summary
Bendamustine shows significant efficacy in treating low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders, including lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It demonstrates high remission rates, even in patients resistant to other treatments, with myelosuppression as a primary toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alkylating agents are standard treatments for low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Bendamustine exhibits unique preclinical activity against resistant cell lines and clinical activity in resistant disease.
- Recent studies have further investigated the clinical effects of bendamustine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of bendamustine in treating low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders.
- To assess bendamustine's activity in rituximab-resistant indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- To compare bendamustine with chlorambucil in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Main Methods:
- Clinical studies and prospective randomized trials were conducted.
- Patient populations included those with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Bendamustine was administered alone and in combination with rituximab.
Main Results:
- Bendamustine monotherapy achieved a 77% remission rate in rituximab-resistant indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- The combination of bendamustine and rituximab showed a 90% remission rate in similar patient populations.
- In untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia, bendamustine yielded a 59% overall remission rate versus 26% for chlorambucil (P < 0.001).
- Bendamustine with rituximab achieved a 67% remission rate in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Conclusions:
- Bendamustine is an active agent for treating low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Further research is needed to optimize bendamustine dosage, scheduling, and patient selection.
- Bendamustine offers a promising therapeutic option, particularly in combination regimens.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
01:28Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Biotransformation, also known as drug metabolism, is a vital physiological process that chemically alters drugs, facilitating their elimination from the body and terminating their action. This process involves two main phases: phase I and phase II reactions. Phase I reactions, including oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis, introduce or unmask polar functional groups on the drug molecule, thereby increasing its water solubility. By enhancing water solubility, the drug becomes more hydrophilic...
01:16Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Pharmaceutical substances known as xenobiotics are predominantly lipophilic and nonionized. This enables them to permeate lipid bilayers, such as cell membranes, and interact with intracellular target receptors. Lipophilic drugs have an advantage in crossing biological barriers and reaching their intended sites of action. However, lipophilic drugs often have a restricted capacity for renal expulsion or elimination from the body. When these drugs enter the kidneys and undergo glomerular...
01:26FDA Approved Drugs: Changes to Approved Drugs
Post-approval, manufacturers may modify an approved new or generic drug product. Such modifications can encompass alterations in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), manufacturing process, formulation, batch size, manufacturing site, and container closure system (FDA Guidance for Industry, April 2004). Often, a drug product may undergo multiple changes.These modifications require careful evaluation to determine their potential impact on the drug product's identity, strength, quality,...
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...