Low dose melphalan is a treatment option in elderly patients with high risk myelodysplastic syndrome or secondary acute myeloblastic leukaemia

Haematologia (Budap). 2002;32(2):169-73. doi: 10.1163/156855902320388023.

Abstract

We present the case of a 71 year-old man with secondary acute myeloblastic leukemia, who was successfully treated with low dose melphalan plus Epo plus G-CSF. We treated the patient with 2 mg of melphalan once a day orally, G-CSF 5 mg/kg 3 times a week and Epo 10.000 ui subcutaneously 3 times a week until the maximum response was obtained. Complete remission was achieved after 16 weeks of continuous treatment. Treatment-related toxicity was not significant. We recommend the use of low dose melphalan in elderly patients with high risk MDS as a treatment option.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts / drug therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Erythropoietin / administration & dosage
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage*
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / complications
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Erythropoietin
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Melphalan