Secondary treatment of polycythemia rubra vera with 6-thioguanine

✍ Scribed by Dr. D. W. Milligan; S. L. Thein; B. E. Roberts

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 268 KB
• Volume: 50
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19820901)50:5<836::aid-cncr2820500505>3.0.co;2-w

✦ Synopsis

6-thioguanine, an antimetabolite not potentiated by allopurinol, has been used in the treatment of 29 patients with polycythemia Vera. All but two of the patients had been treated previously by venesection and/or radioactive phosphorus (32p) and/or alkylating agents. The usual dose was 40-160 mg daily alternate weeks according to individual response. The treatment period varied from 6-66 months (mean, 31 months). Of 27 evaluable patients 24 (89%) responded to treatment and a t one year there was a significant fall in all blood count parameters. Seven patients relapsed while on treatment and four were withdrawn because of side effects. 6-thioguanine merits further evaluation in the management of polycythemia Vera, particularly in those patients who have received large cumulative doses of 32p and/or alkylating agents and in whom an alternative mode of therapy is desirable.

Cancer 50:836-839, 1982.

OLYCYTHEMIA RUBRA VERA (PRV) is commonly * Tutor in Medicine (Hon. Senior Registrar),