[Chemotherapeutic effects in hypoplastic leukemia]

Clinical effects of a low dose of behenoyl ara-C (LD-BHAC) and K-18, an IgG-melphalan conjugate, were studied in hypoplastic leukemia (HL). Among 8 cases of HL treated with LD-BHAC regimen, in which 50 mg BHAC was administered daily by one-hour drip infusion for 14 days, 4 achieved complete remission (CR) and 2, partial remission (PR). The response rate (CR + PR) was 75%. Hematological toxicities were observed in most of the cases. The peak level of serum ara-C concentration, 3.62-18.9 ng/ml (mean: 11.74 ng/ml), was observed at cessation of infusion, and an ara-C level of 2.75-48.9 ng/ml (mean: 3.45 ng/ml) was still present in the blood 6 hours after cessation of infusion. Six cases of HL were treated with K-18. Eight tablets of K-18, containing 30 mg per tablet, were given daily. Two of 6 cases achieved CR with little hematological toxicities. LD-BHAC and K-18 can be expected in the treatment of hypoplastic leukemia and its related diseases such as hypoplastic preleukemia in the aged.