HIGH-DOSE BCNU THERAPY WITH AUTOLOGOUS BONE-MARROW INFUSION - PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS

Abstract

Nine patients with solid malignancies and extensive prior treatment received high-dose BCNU [1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea] therapy (600-750 mg/m2) with autologous bone marrow support; following this treatment hematopoietic recovery was studied. The only significant nonhematopoietic toxicity was a probable case of BCNU-induced pulmonary toxicity in a patient who had received massive amounts of prior chemotherapy and chest irradiation. The marrow aspirations prior to cryopreservations had revealed a hypoplastic marrow in 4 of 9 patients. Despite using marrow exposed to prior chemotherapy, neutropenia beyond day 40 after BCNU therapy was not observed in any patient. One patient did not develop neutropenia of < 1.5 .times. 109 cells/l and 5 patients did not develop neutropenia of < 0.5 .times. 109 cells/l. A partial response was observed in 1 patient and less than partial responses were observed in 2 other patients. Autologous bone marrow infusion may modify the neutropenia of high-dose BCNU therapy.