(2"-R)-4'-o-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new anthracycline derivative; its effectiveness in lymphoid malignancies

Thirty-eight patients with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated intravenously with (2"-R)-4'-o-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) at a dose of 10 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days. Seven complete and 15 partial responses were observed in 35 evaluable patients (overall response rate, 62.8%). Both antitumor activity and antitumor spectrum were similar to those for doxorubicin. Since the patients who had had chemotherapy previously, including other kinds of anthracycline, responded rather poorly to THP, cross-resistance between THP and other anthracyclines may be present. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were dose-limiting factors. Nausea and vomiting episodes were mild, and epilation was also minimal. Although the observation period was short and a cumulative dose was not large enough to evaluate cardiotoxicity, there were no abnormal EKG changes or clinical signs of cardiotoxicity in this study. THP is a potent antitumor agent in the treatment of lymphoid malignancies.