A PILOT-STUDY OF 220 MG M(2) MELPHALAN FOLLOWED BY AUTOLOGOUS STEM-CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES - PHARMACOKINETICS AND TOXICITY/

We studied the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of 220 mg/m(2) melphalan (HDM 220) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in 16 patie nts with advanced haematological malignancies, Pharmacokinetic paramet ers (mean values of steady-state volume of distribution 14.61/m(2), to tal body clearance 313 ml/min/m(2), elimination half-life 46 min) were the same as those of 140 or 200 mg/m(2) melphalan in previous reports . HDM 220 was feasible. Extramedullary toxicity was mainly W.H.O. grad e 4 mucositis (13/16 patients). The median duration of 41 d (10, not r eached) of thrombocytopenia <25 x 10(9)/l was long. In multiple myelom a the response rate was 89% in heavily pretreated patients, suggesting that HDM 220 could be considered earlier in the course of the disease as an alternative consolidation therapy.