Bexarotene is useful in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

05-18-2007

According to a review from the United States, "Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas encompass a spectrum of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that are characterized by clonal proliferation of skin-homing malignant T lymphocytes. Mycosis fungoides and the leukemic variant Sezary syndrome, collectively referred to as cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, are the most common entities. No curative therapy exists and patients ultimately develop advanced or relapsed disease that is refractory to standard treatment options. Therefore, there is a great need for the development of novel emerging therapies."

"Bexarotene is the first synthetic nuclear retinoid X receptor-selective retinoid approved by the FDA for the treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in all stages, as both an oral capsule and a topical gel formulation," said Christiane Querfeld and colleagues at Northwestern University. "Bexarotene was found to induce apoptosis in a variety of preclinical in vitro and in vivo models including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells, and has shown efficacy in two multi-center, open-label phase II-III clinical trials for early and advanced stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in patients who have failed or were refractory to standard therapies."

The reviewers concluded, "New insights into the immunomodulatory function of bexarotene have indicated opportunities for combined treatment with IFN-alpha, denileukin diftitox, or phototherapy. This article reviews the biological properties, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety and role of bexarotene in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma."

Querfeldt and associates published their review in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (Bexarotene in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother, 2006;7(7):907-915).

For additional information, contact Christiane Querfeld, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Super Street, 3-250, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Science Letter via NewsRx.com.