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Initial experience with bendamustine in patients with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case report

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Abstract

Novel therapeutic options for patients with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma (RPCNSL) are needed. Bendamustine, a bifunctional purine analog/alkylating agent, is approved for use in patients with progressive systemic indolent non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphomas. Limited data suggests that bendamustine may partition into the brain in the setting of a disrupted blood–brain barrier. This report describes the first known experience of patients with RPCNSL treated with bendamustine. Therapy was well-tolerated and best response was noted as stable disease after eight cycles of bendamustine followed by a subsequent local systemic recurrence found at five months follow-up. CNS involvement in this patient remained stable 20 + months post-bendamustine treatment. Based on our observations, further neuropharmacokinetic and efficacy studies with bendamustine may be warranted in this patient population.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

RPCNSL:

Recurrent primary CNS lymphoma

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Jaclyn J. Renfrow

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Alisha DeTroye & Glenn J. Lesser

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Michael Chan & Kevin McMullen

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Stephen Tatter & Thomas Ellis

  5. Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Annette Johnson

  6. Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Ryan Mott

Authors
  1. Jaclyn J. Renfrow
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  2. Alisha DeTroye
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  3. Michael Chan
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  4. Stephen Tatter
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  5. Thomas Ellis
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  6. Kevin McMullen
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  7. Annette Johnson
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  8. Ryan Mott
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  9. Glenn J. Lesser
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glenn J. Lesser.

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Renfrow, J.J., DeTroye, A., Chan, M. et al. Initial experience with bendamustine in patients with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case report. J Neurooncol 107, 659–663 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-011-0788-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-011-0788-x

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