Phase-II trial with vindesine for regression induction in patients with leukemias and hematosarcomas

Vindesine (VDS) has been submitted to a phase-II trial, the results of which were assessed in terms of regression induction. VDS was given weekly IV in doses of 2 mg/m2 on two consecutive days to 59 patients, 55 of whom were evaluable. A high proportion of complete (36%) and over 50% partial regressions were obtained in acute lymphoid leukemias (ALL) (overall response 63%) whatever the perceptible phase, in blastic crisis of chronic myeloid luekemia (55%), and some responses were recorded in lymphosarcoma (40%). No effect has so far been seen in acute myeloid keukemia or in Hodgkin's disease. Malignant neoplasms of the immunoblastic type seem to be particularly sensitive to VDS. Continuous 48 h IV infusion can induce a remission where an IV push administration of the same dose has failed. One remarkable characteristic of VDS is the apparent absence of cross-resistance with VCR: in acute leukemic forms, 55% of patients who failed to obtain remission induction after three weekly injections of VCR (used in combination chemotherapy) achieved a complete or partial remission with VDS. The toxicity was mainly neurologic (paralytic ileus, constipation, paresthesias, loss of reflexes) and hematologic (leukopenia and thrombopenia), and was not more significant than with the other agents: four patients died of infection or hemorrhage.