CONCISE COMMUNICATION: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in stage IVB mycosis fungoides

Background: Previous studies have shown that pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (LD) is effective in the treatment of relapsing or recalcitrant cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Objectives: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of LD in patients with stage IVB mycosis fungoides (MF). Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated outcomes and recorded adverse effects in 10 patients with MF (seven men and three women) with extracutaneous involvement. Patients were treated with LD 20 mg m super(-2) administered intravenously every 4 weeks. Results: All patients received at least two cycles of LD, three patients received four cycles and one patient received six cycles. Three patients (30%) had a partial response and two patients had stable disease. Grade 1-2 leucopenia occurred in three of the 10 patients, and grade 4 leucopenia in one. Three patients had grade 2 palmoplantar erythrodysaesthesia. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that LD is beneficial in terms of activity and toxicity in stage IVB MF. These observations should be verified in larger studies.