The Clinical Use of Triethylene Melamine

Abstract

Triethylene melamine (TEM), a nitrogen mustard-like compound, which can be administered orally and intravenously, has been found to be of considerable clinical use in the palliative treatment of the lymphomas and leukemias. This drug is indicated when a patient presents generalized disease and constitutional symptoms such as fever and pruritus. The incidence of nausea and vomiting following TEM administration is significantly less than that following HN2. The other toxic effects of the two agents are comparable. TEM may be used in conjunction with roentgen therapy. Patients may be maintained om small oral doses of TEM for long periods of time, but extreme caution must be exercised in the oral use of TEM since its tolerance varies considerably with each individual.