Topical administration of hexadecylphosphocholine in patients with cutaneous lymphomas: results of a phase I/II study

Hexadecylphosphocholine is a new antineoplastic drug that inhibits tumor cell growth directly and, in addition, might have immunoregulatory properties.

We investigated the topical application of this phospholipid in patients with cutaneous lymphoma.

Twenty-four patients with histologically documented cutaneous lymphoma were treated for 8 weeks. Lesions that responded to treatment were biopsied and evaluated histologically.

Of 15 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, 12 were evaluable. Two complete remissions, four partial remissions, and one minor remission were observed. Of seven patients with B-cell lymphomas, six were evaluable. One complete remission, three partial remissions, one case of stable disease, and one case of progressive disease were seen. However, histologic monitoring demonstrated only a partial clearing of infiltrating lymphocytes in lesions that showed a partial or complete response clinically. Both patients with lymphomatoid papulosis had complete clearing of the lesions clinically. An objective response rate (partial and complete response) of 56% (10/18) was achieved in the patients with cutaneous lymphoma who were treated in this study.

Hexadecylphosphocholine appears to be effective topically in the treatment of some cases of cutaneous lymphomas.