BENDAMUSTINE, A LOW TOXIC NITROGEN-MUSTARD DERIVATIVE WITH HIGH EFFICACY IN MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMAS

Bendamustine is a nitrogen mustard derivative which has been investiga ted in several phase II and phase III studies to evaluate its efficacy and toxicity in malignant lymphomas. In Hodgkin's disease, bendamusti ne has shown a comparable antineoplastic activity to the frequently us ed alkylating agents mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, and chlorambuc il. In untreated CLL and multiple myeloma patients as well as in pretr eated other low-grade malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) bendamusti ne has at least as high an antineoplastic activity as chlorambucil, cy clophosphamide, and melphalan. Cross-resistance could not be detected either with these alkylating agents or with adriamycin. With regard to its side effects, bendamustine has a myelotoxicity similar to that of other alkylating cytostatics, but has especially only low emetogenici ty and does not induce alopecia. Therefore, bendamustine is considered to be a valuable addition to the possibilities of cytostatic chemothe rapy of malignant lymphomas. Further clinical studies are warranted.