Phase 2 trial of clofarabine in combination with etoposide and cyclophosphamide in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood. 2011 Dec 1;118(23):6043-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-374710. Epub 2011 Oct 3.

Abstract

The outcomes in children with refractory/relapsed (R/R) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are dismal. The efficacy and safety of intravenous clofarabine 40 mg/m(2) per day, cyclophosphamide 440 mg/m(2) per day, and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) per day for 5 consecutive days in pediatric patients with R/R ALL was evaluated in this phase 2 study. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (complete remission [CR] plus CR without platelet recovery [CRp]). Among the 25 patients (median age, 14 years; pre-B cell ALL, 84%; ≥ 2 prior regimens: 84%; refractory to previous regimen: 60%), the overall response rate was 44% (7 CR, 4 CRp) with a 67.3-week median duration or remission censored at last follow-up. Most patients proceeded to alternative therapy, and 10 patients (40%) received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Six patients (24%) died because of treatment-related adverse events associated with infection, hepatotoxicity, and/or multiorgan failure. The study protocol was amended to exclude patients with prior hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after 4 of the first 8 patients developed severe hepatotoxicity suggestive of veno-occlusive disease. No additional cases of veno-occlusive disease occurred. The regimen offered encouraging response rates and sustained remission in R/R patients. Future investigation should include exploration of patient selection, dosing, and supportive care. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00315705.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine Nucleotides / administration & dosage*
  • Adenine Nucleotides / adverse effects
  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Arabinonucleosides / administration & dosage*
  • Arabinonucleosides / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clofarabine
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage*
  • Etoposide / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Nucleoside Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / mortality
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adenine Nucleotides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Arabinonucleosides
  • Nucleoside Transport Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Etoposide
  • Clofarabine
  • Cyclophosphamide

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00315705