Drug slows non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A U.S. phase 3 study released Monday shows tipifarnib can stall or reverse disease in relapsed, aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Mayo Clinic researchers, working with a team from the University of Iowa, found that, of 38 patients in a clinical trial who were evaluated, 18 percent of those taking the oral drug at a 300-mg dose had partial response, resulting in a reduction of cancerous cells, and 21 percent had stable disease.

"Patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who relapse after conventional therapy or stem cell replacement traditionally have a poor prognosis," said lead investigator Thomas Witzig, a Mayo Clinic hematologist. "We are hoping to find new approaches that are well-tolerated that will help this group of people experience a longer and higher-quality life. These preliminary results seem to indicate that tipifarnib has anti-tumor activity and is well-tolerated."

Investigators noted that 33 percent of patients in the study required dose reduction due to an effect called myelosuppression, or reduction in the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells).

The study results were presented at the 2006 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.