TITLE:
Treatment-Induced Acute Leukaemia after Major Response to Cyclophosphamide-Based Metronomic Chemotherapy in Refractory Heavily Pre-Treated Prostate Cancer
AUTHORS:
Erion Dobi, Thierry Nguyen, Christophe Borg, Xavier Pivot, Bernard Royer, Stefano Kim
KEYWORDS:
Metronomic Chemotherapy; Cyclophosphamide; Prostate Cancer; Secondary Acute Leukemia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.4 No.1,
February
17,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: metronomic chemotherapy is based on antiangiogenic and immunologic mechanisms obtained by the administration of traditional cytotoxic drugs at lower concentration without rest periods. The low dosage induces fewer or no side effect compared to classic maximum tolerated dose administration (MTD). At present, no treatment related acute leukaemia was reported in cyclophosphamide-based metronomic chemotherapy (CMC). Case: We report the case of an 81-year-old man considered as having castration and chemo-refractory metastatic prostate cancer. CMC was started. Objective response was observed in this heavily pre-treated patient with progression free survival lasting more than 30 months. No toxicity was observed in this period and his autonomy was maintained. Finally, our patient developed a chemotherapy-induced acute myeloid leukaemia at 36th month of CMC. Conclusion: Even CMC is a well-tolerated treatment; secondary acute leukaemia is related to cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide. The benefit and the risk of long-term exposure to cyclophosphamide should be carefully balanced.