Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in stage IVB mycosis fungoides

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (LD) is effective in the treatment of relapsing or recalcitrant cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of LD in patients with stage IVB mycosis fungoides (MF). METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated outcomes and recorded adverse effects in 10 patients with MF (seven men and three women) with extracutaneous involvement. Patients were treated with LD 20 mg m(-2) administered intravenously every 4 weeks. RESULTS: All patients received at least two cycles of LD, three patients received four cycles and one patient received six cycles. Three patients (30%) had a partial response and two patients had stable disease. Grade 1-2 leucopenia occurred in three of the 10 patients, and grade 4 leucopenia in one. Three patients had grade 2 palmoplantar erythrodysaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that LD is beneficial in terms of activity and toxicity in stage IVB MF. These observations should be verified in larger studies.