Regimen-Related Toxicity Assessment of MCVAC Conditioning Regimen without Total Body Irradiation for the Treatment of Children with Acute Leukemia or Lymphoma

Abstract

Toxicity assessment was made in 39 children with acute leukemia or malignant lymphoma who received the MCVAC high-dose combination chemotherapy without total body irradiation (TBI) and peripheral blood stem cell autograft (PBSCT). The regimen-related toxicity (RRT) observed within 28 days of autografts and pulmonary toxicity occurring within 100 days were analyzed for this purpose. Transient and mild RRT involving the mouth and gastrointestinal tract was the primary toxicity observed in almost all patients, but there was no case of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. No mortality or occurrence of severe RRT necessitating intense therapy was documented in this series of patients. The data suggest that the MCVAC regimen can be administered safely in children undergoing PBSCT. Evaluation of long-term toxicities and its effectiveness in the treatment of refractory childhood leukemia or lymphoma needs further clinical trial.