Vindesine effect in myeloid leukemia.

Vindesine (VDS), a semisynthetic vinca alkaloid derivative, was given weekly at a dose of 3 mg/m2 as single-agent chemotherapy to seven patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), 17 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in blastic metamorphosis (CML/BM), and 12 patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). A substantial and rapid decrease of leukemic cells was obtained in 31 of 36 patients, and this was independent of cell phenotype and morphology. VDS may improve the results of polychemotherapy of ANLL, and is useful for palliative treatment of CML/BM.