Effect of New Sulfonic Acid Esters of Aminoglycols in the Treatment of Leukemia and Malignant Lymphoma

Abstract

New sulfonic acid esters of aminoglycols, N-methyl-bis (3-mesyloxypropyl) amine hydrochloride (No. 838) and bis (3-mesyloxypropyl) amine hydrochloride (No. 864) have been used for the treatment of leukemias and malignant lymphomas with the following results.
Both agents were markedly effective in chronic myelogenous leukemia; No. 838, given in a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg i.v., induced complete remissions in all 15 cases treated (total dose ranging from 135 to 1,000 mg with a median of 500 mg). No. 864, being somewhat less myelosuppressive, produced complete remissions in 8 of 9 patients (in 11 of 13 treatment courses). The total dose given ranged from 800 to 1,700 mg with a median of 1,100 mg.
In 6 patients with acute leukemia in whom No. 838 was used for the induction of remission it became evident that the drug decreases the “total leukemic cell mass” very effectively. However, only 1 out of 6 patients obtained a partial remission. The agent successfully relilved excruciating bone aches in 2 patients with acute phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Among 4 patients with malignant lymphoma treated with No. 838, one showed a good response. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these new alkylating agents in the treatment of acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma. Search for the optimal method for the administration of these agents should also be carried out.