Activity of a nitroxylated analog of daunorubicin, ruboxyl, in B-lymphoproliferative disorders

A nitroxylated analog of daunorubicin, ruboxyl (RBX), showed low toxicity b ut significant lympholytic effect in preclinical evaluations. A series of s tudies in vitro and in animals demonstrate that RBX is a putative agent in the treatment of many neoplasms, We report the results of a study in mice i n which RBX showed selective B-lymphocyte immunosuppression, On the basis o f this experience, RBX was administered to 3 patients with multiple myeloma and two patients with Waldenstrom's disease, The results of this pilot cli nical study show that this compound has good activity and low myelotoxicity and cardiotoxicity, but seems to be characterized by a threatening immunos uppressive effect. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.