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.