[Phase II study of etoposide (NK 171) in advanced hematological malignancies]

A clinical study of a new semisynthetic podophyllotoxin etoposide (NK 171) was performed in patients with various hematological malignancies refractory to standard chemotherapies. The drug was given intravenously in a dose of 100-130 mg/m2/day for five days or orally in a dose of 130-170 mg/m2/day for five days. Out of 9 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 2 CR and 4 PR were obtained; out of 4 acute nonlymphoblastic leukemias, 1 CR, and out of 4 chronic myerogenous leukemias 2 CR and 1 PR, were obtained. The dose limiting factor was leukopenia, and alopecia was frequent while other hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities were mild. Etoposide (NK 171) had no clinical cross resistance to other antitumor agents, thus warranting further clinical trials, in combination chemotherapy against NHL, ANLL and CML-BC.