thioguanine-anhydrous and Polycythemia-Vera

Topics: Adult; Humans; Leukemia, Neutrophilic, Chronic; Male; Polycythemia Vera; Thioguanine

Topics: Cytosine; Daunorubicin; Female; Humans; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute; Middle Aged; Polycythemia Vera; Recurrence; Thioguanine

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 at 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 Seven patients relapsed while on treatment and four were withdrawn because of side effects. 6-thioguanine merits further evaluation in the management of polycythemia vera, particularly in those patients who have received large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.

Topics: Aged; Blood Cell Count; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Evaluation; Hematocrit; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea; Patient Compliance; Polycythemia Vera; Recurrence; Skin Diseases; Thioguanine

Topics: Adult; Cytarabine; Daunorubicin; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Male; Methylprednisolone; Phosphorus Isotopes; Polycythemia Vera; Remission, Spontaneous; Thioguanine; Vincristine

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid; Pipobroman; Polycythemia Vera; Thioguanine