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Vinblastine effective in patients with relapsing multifocal cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Patients with relapsing cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma responded to vinblastine as a single-agent chemotherapy, according to recent study results

“In our series, all patients had quick good-quality remission with a median progression-free survival of 6 months,” Pauline Laly, MD, and colleagues wrote. “The rapidity of the response supports the role of vinblastine instead of spontaneous regression in these patients with multifocal lesions and a long-term history of refractory disease. In our series, no patient had to discontinue use of the drug because of infection or severe toxic effects.”

Laly and colleagues retrospectively evaluated seven patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma who were a median of 5 years from diagnosis and had previously undergone first-line therapies such as surgery, topical corticosteroids, radiotherapy, multi-agent chemotherapy or methotrexate.

All patients received 6 mg/m² of vinblastine twice a month, except one patient who received 4 mg/m². All patients had partial or complete remission after a median of four infusions. Although four patients experienced hematologic adverse events, there were no infectious complications or neuropathy. – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.