Bendamustine: new perspective for an old drug in lymphoproliferative disorders.

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Blank Bendamustine: new perspective for an old drug in lymphoproliferative

disorders.

M Montillo, F Ricci, A Tedeschi, E Vismara, and E Morra

Expert Rev Hematol, April 1, 2010; 3(2): 131-48.

Department of Oncology/Haematology, Division of Haematology, Niguarda Ca'Granda

Hospital, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milano, Italy.

marco.montillo@... .

Bendamustine is an old bifunctional alkylating agent that also has potential

antimetabolite properties, and only partial cross-resistance with other

alkylators. Although it was synthesized in 1963 only few validated study results

exist from this early period. More recently, its peculiar mechanism of action

has reawakened interest in this drug that has been extensively studied in

indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Experience has also been reported in high-grade NHL and Hodgkin disease. Based

on its unique structure, various strategies can be used for mechanism-based

combination chemotherapeutic regimens with bendamustine. Moreover, data

indicates that bendamustine when combined with rituximab is a valid therapeutic

choice for patients with CLL or low-grade NHL demonstrating refractoriness to

standard chemotherapy regimens. Furthermore, its documented favorable toxicity

profile makes it a particularly useful treatment option for elderly patients.

PMID: 21083456