Topotecan in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

Walter Royal, B. Dupont, D. McGuire, L. Chang, K. Goodkin, T. Ernst, M. J. Post, D. Fish, G. Pailloux, H. Poncelet, M. Concha, L. Apuzzo, E. Singer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) affects about 1 in 20 individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and has been associated with poor survival. This report describes the results of a phase II clinical trial using the drug topotecan, a semisynthetic analogue of camptothecan, administered to a cohort of subjects with AIDS-related PML. Data were evaluated on 11 of 12 subjects enrolled in the study. Three responded to therapy. Additionally, one patient was treated off-protocol and showed a response to treatment. Progression occurred after the first course; however, a partial response was noted after five courses. One study patient died from accidental overdose of topotecan. Overall, responders had higher pretreatment Karnofsky and lower Kurtzke expanded disability status scale scores than non-responders. The most frequent toxicities were hematologic (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia). Five patients had dose delays; all delays were due to hematologic adverse events. This study demonstrates that topotecan treatment may be associated with decreased lesion size and prolonged survival from the infection. Because of the small number of subjects in the study, further studies are required to evaluate the efficacy of topotecan in treating this disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)411-419
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of neurovirology
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HIV-1
  • MRI
  • Polyomavirus
  • Topoisomerases
  • Viral encephalitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Virology

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