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Association of severe and fatal infections and treatment with pentostatin

P J O'Dwyer, A S Spiers, S Marsoni

    Cancer Treatment Reports
    |September 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pentostatin (dCF) treatment for lymphoid cancers can cause severe infections, even without myelosuppression. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial for patients experiencing infections during dCF therapy.

    Area of Science:

    • Oncology
    • Immunology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Pentostatin (dCF), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, demonstrates efficacy in lymphoid malignancies.
    • Phase I trials have indicated dCF's potential in treating various blood cancers.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the incidence and characteristics of severe infections in patients undergoing pentostatin (dCF) treatment.
    • To investigate the relationship between dCF therapy, infection, and myelosuppression.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of the first 300 patients treated with pentostatin (dCF) in phase I trials.
    • Detailed examination of infection cases, including causative organisms and patient status regarding myelosuppression.

    Main Results:

    • A high incidence of severe infections (8%) was observed during pentostatin (dCF) treatment.
    • In 17 out of 24 infected patients, no evidence of myelosuppression was present.
    • Infections were caused by diverse pathogens (viral, fungal, bacterial) and were frequently fatal (two-thirds).

    Conclusions:

    • Pentostatin (dCF) may induce an immunodeficiency syndrome similar to severe combined immunodeficiency.
    • Prompt and thorough diagnostic evaluation and aggressive treatment are recommended for dCF-treated patients with infections, irrespective of neutropenia status.

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