Alfacalcidol as a Treatment for Low Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Author Information
Author(s): V. Rainal, D. Cunningham, N. Gilchrist, M. Soukop
Primary Institution: Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Hypothesis
Does alfacalcidol have antitumor activity in patients with low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
Conclusion
Alfacalcidol shows significant antitumor activity in patients with follicular small-cleaved cell lymphoma and has minimal toxicity.
Supporting Evidence
- Complete response was seen in four patients and a partial response in four patients, with an overall response rate of 24%.
- Median duration of response was 14 months.
- Disease stabilized in ten other patients (29%).
- Alfacalcidol was well tolerated with minimal toxicity.
Takeaway
Alfacalcidol can help shrink tumors in some patients with a type of lymphoma, and it doesn't make them sick.
Methodology
Thirty-six patients with low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with oral alfacalcidol daily for a minimum of 8 weeks, and responses were assessed using standard criteria.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and excluded two patients due to compliance issues.
Participant Demographics
36 patients (25 female, 11 male) with a mean age of 61 years.
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