High activity of mitoxantrone in previously untreated low-grade lymphomas.

A consecutive series of 21 previously untreated patients with low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas were treated with mitoxantrone 5 mg/m2 daily for 3 days every 3 weeks. The cumulative dose did not exceed 165 mg/m2 in any patient. In this group, 7 patients had small lymphocytic lymphomas, 10 patients had follicular small cleaved cell lymphomas, and 4 patients had follicular mixed small- and large-cell lymphomas. Of the 21 patients, 20 obtained remission (complete in 6, partial in 14), and 15 of these are still in remission. Relapse-free survival is 68% at 2 years. None of the patients has died. Nonhematologic toxicity was modest. No severe alopecia was seen, and only 6 patients had nausea and vomiting (WHO grade 1-3). No cardiac toxicity was seen. In conclusion, mitoxantrone is a highly active and well-tolerated drug in this subset of patients. Hematologic toxicity, especially leukopenia, was dose limiting, and a reduction of the dose was necessary in 15 out of the 21 patients.