Phase II Study of Single Agent Paclitaxel in Adult Patients with Relapsed Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Background: A phase II study of paclitaxel in patients with relapsed adult acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) was conducted. Methods: Patients with relapsed ALL, no more than one prior salvage regimen, and no overt hepatic, renal, or cardiac dysfunction were eligible. Patients received paclitaxel 250 mg/m2 given as a continuous 24 -h intravenous infusion repeated every 3–4 weeks. Results: Eight patients received 13 courses of paclitaxel. One transient partial response was observed. The only severe extramedullary toxicities observed were Grade 3 myalgias and arthralgias. Conclusion: The study paclitaxel regimen was ineffective in refractory adult ALL.