Phase I study of bryostatin 1 in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Mary L. Varterasian, Ramzi M. Mohammad, David S. Eilender, Kim Hulburd, Dorothy H. Rodriguez, Pamela A. Pemberton, James M. Pluda, Maria D. Dan, George R. Pettit, Ben D. Chen, Ayad M. Al-Katib

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To define, in a phase I study in relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), major toxicities, and possible antitumor activity of bryostatin 1, a macrocyclic lactone. Patients and Methods: Bryostatin 1 was delivered by 72-hour continuous infusion every 2 weeks to patients with relapsed NHL or CLL, at doses that ranged from 12 μ/m2 to 180 μ/m2 per course. Correlative investigations included evaluations of total protein kinase C (PKC) in peripheral blood and lymphoid differentiation in patient tumor tissue. Results: Twenty-nine patients were treated, including patients with CLL and 26 with NHL. Generalized myalgia was the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and occurred in two of three patients treated with bryostatin 1 at 180 μg/m2 per course. Myalgias were dose-related and cumulative, and often storied in the thighs and calves, improved with activity, were somewhat responsive to analgesics, and often took weeks to resolve once taken off study. Six patients were treated at the MTD of 120 μg/m2 per course. Myalgia, headache, and fatigue were common. Hematologic toxicity was uncommon. Total cumulative doses of bryostatin 1 up to 1,134 μg/m2 have been administered without untoward toxicity. Eleven patients achieved stable disease for 2 to 19 months. An in vitro assay for total PKC evaluation in patient peripheral-blood samples demonstrated activation within the first 2 hours with subsequent downregulation by 24 hours, which was maintained throughout the duration of the 72-hour infusion. Conclusion: This phase t study defined the MTD and recommended phase II dose of bryostatin 1, when administered over 72 hours every 2 weeks, to be 120 μg/m2 (40 μ/m2/d for 3 days). Generalized myalgia was the DLT. Future studies will define the precise activity of bryostatin 1 in subsets of patients with lymphoproliferative malignancies and its efficacy in combination with other agents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)56-62
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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