Cápsulas de bexaroteno y gel para pacientes previamente tratados con linfoma cutáneo de células T: Los resultados de los pacientes tratados australianos en ensayos de fase II

Bexarotene (Targretin®, LGD1069) is a novel synthetic retinoid analogue that binds selectively to retinoid X receptors. We describe eight previously treated patients who entered phase II international multicentre studies examining the role of bexarotene in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Patients received either the oral formulation (n = 7) or the topical gel (n = 1). Of the seven patients who received 300 mg/m2per day capsules, five (71%) achieved a partial response, with mean time to onset of response of 27 days (range, 20–29) with responses persisting for a mean of 92 days (range, 57–115). The single patient receiving the topical preparation (stage IB) remains in partial response at 31 months. The major toxicity with oral administration was hypertriglyceridaemia requiring therapy. Bexarotene capsules and gel are active and generally well-tolerated agents in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and studies examining its role in previously untreated patients or as part of combination therapy are warranted.