Carmelo Puccio

A loading dose/continuous infusion schedule of fludarabine phosphate in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Using a loading dose/continuous infusion schedule, fludarabine phosphate was administered to 51 patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). All patients had evidence of active disease, and the majority had advanced Rai stages. Of the 42 patients assessable for response, 22 (52%) achieved a partial response, five (12%) had stable disease, and 15 (36%) progressed. Thirteen of the 22 responders improved their Rai stages with fludarabine therapy, including six patients who achieved stage 0. Response rates for pretreatment stages III and IV were 60% and 53%, respectively. Patients with final Rai stages 0 to II had better survival than those with stages III and IV. Patients who had undergone splenectomy before starting therapy were more likely to respond. Myelosuppression was the primary toxicity and did not appear to be cumulative. Severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, although infrequent, were associated with several deaths in the early cycles of treatment. Nonhematologic toxicity was mild with no serious neurotoxicity noted. Infections were common with 22 minor, 18 major, and 10 fatal episodes. Fludarabine phosphate by this alternative dosing schedule is effective in refractory advanced CLL and is well tolerated by the majority of patients.

Incidence and Treatment of Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Patients with Acute Leukemia

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a complication associated with electrolyte abnormalities that is observed in patients with acute leukemia who are receiving intense doses of chemotherapy. Forty-one patients with acute leukemia were treated with high-dose combination chemotherapy and were evaluated for TLS. A grading system developed for the evaluation of these patients was applied. Grade I tumor lysis was observed in 22 patients, grade II TLS in 2 patients and grade III in 1 patient. All patients were treated with intravenous fluids, mannitol, allopurinol and in some patients, aluminum-based antacids. Treatment for TLS prior to intensive chemotherapy reduced morbidity and mortality associated with high-dose chemotherapy for acute leukemias.

A phase I pharmacokinetic study of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor administered by a 5-day continuous infusion

Nineteen patients with advanced cancer were entered into a phase I clinical trial of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) which was designed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile, safety, and maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of the recombinant human cytokinein vivo. TNF was administered by continuous infusion for 24 hours followed by pharmacokinetics and a 120-hour infusion repeated every 3 weeks. The initial dose was 40μg/m2 and was ultimately escalated to 200μg/m2. A total of forty 5-day cycles were administered to 18 of these patients; and all were evaluable for toxicity. Toxicities in this trial included fever, chills, rigors, hypotension, headaches, seizures, lethargy, weight loss, and malaise. At all dose levels, but more significantly at the highest doses, hematological toxicities were observed and grade 3 neurotoxicity (headache and confusion), and hypotension were noted. Two patients expired during the study, and this was felt to be related to septic episodes. Because of these severe toxicities, 160μg/m2 was defined as the MTD. At 160μg/m2 peak serum levels occurred within 5–20 minutes of initiation and were not detectable 1 hour later. No anti-tumor responses were observed. No measurable plasma levels of TNF were observed with the administration of doses of 80μg/m2. This dose level could be further studied in phase II studies alone and in combination with other agents, utilizing a continuous infusion schedule.

A phase I study of recombinant human interleukin-2 and alpha-interferon-2a in patients with renal cell cancer, colorectal cancer, and malignant melanoma

Preclinical data suggest synergy of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) combined with alpha‐interferon (IFN). In addition, toxicities of IL‐2 may be decreased by intermittent continuous infusion. The purpose of this trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of recombinant IL‐2 combined with alpha‐IFN in patients with renal cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, and malignant B‐cell disease. IL‐2 was given by continuous i.v. infusion at an initial dose of 5 × 105 units (U)/m2/d for 4 days plus IFN at 6 × 106 U/m2/d intramuscularly days 1 and 4 weekly for 4 weeks. Patients who achieved a response or stable disease received an additional 4 weeks of therapy. IL‐2 doses were increased to 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 × 106 U/m2/d with three to eight patients at each dose level, at each of the two participating institutions. The dose of IFN was 6 × 106 U/m2 days 1 and 4 for all but five patients whose IFN dose was doubled to 12 × 106 U/m2/d. Forty‐three patients were entered on this study with 34 completing at least 4 weeks of therapy. Six patients were taken off study because of Grades III or IV pulmonary, neurologic, or cardiac toxicity; one for progressive disease; one for CNS metastases, and one for personal reasons. All of the toxicities were reversible. Chills and fever were universal, especially on days 1 and 4. Mild and moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, malaise, and cutaneous erythema were present in most patients. Fluid retention and occasional pleural effusions were observed at the higher IL‐2 doses but were not dose‐limiting. Significant hypotension associated with oliguria was seen, and these patients were treated with vasopressors and colloids. None of the patients required ICU admission. Thirty‐four patients were evaluable for response. There were 4/18 (22%) renal cell patients who experienced a partial response. No responses were seen in patients with melanoma, lymphoma, or colorectal cancer. The combined debilitating symptoms of fatigue, diarrhea, hypotension, fluid retention, and anorexia defined the MTD as 5 × 106 U/m2/d of IL‐2 and 6 × 106 U/m2 of alpha‐IFN.

Phase II Clinical Trial of Didemnin B in Patients with Recurrent or Refractory Anaplastic Astrocytoma or Glioblastoma Multiforme (NSC 325319)

The activity of didemnin B, a natural product derived from the Caribbean Tunic was assessed in 16 patients with Glioblastoma multiforme. Didemnin B was administered intravenously by a short infusion at a dose of 4.3 mg/m2 and subsequently escalated to 6.3 mg/m2. No anti-tumor activity was observed. Toxicity consisted of fatigue, weakness, stomatitis, mild blood count changes, nausea and vomiting and occasional fever. Based on these results further studies with didemnin B in patients with Glioblastoma multiforme are not recommended.

Amsacrine is safe and effective therapy for patients with myocardial dysfunction and acute leukemia

The role of amsacrine in inducing remission in patients with cardiac disease and acute leukemia was evaluated. There were 17 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), six with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and one with biphenotypic leukemia. In this series of 24 patients whose disease had relapsed and who had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, nine had a complete remission, seven with AML and two with ALL. In addition, four of six with newly diagnosed acute leukemia and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction also responded. Among nine patients who underwent endomyocardial biopsy, none had morphologic changes of sufficient degree to account for drug‐induced heart failure. Patients with preexisting arrhythmias received amsacrine without incident if their serum potassium level was higher than 4.0 mEq/1 at the time of drug administration. Amsacrine is safe and effective therapy for patients with acute leukemia and cardiac disease.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A 5-Year Experience with New Antileukemic Agents and a New Approach to Preventing Fatal Hemorrhage

Forty-six induction courses were administered to 32 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. There were 28 males and 18 females with a median age of 39.5 (range 19-68). Twelve patients were previously untreated, 32 were in relapse, and 2 were refractory to primary induction chemotherapy. Heparin 7.5-10 units/kg/h by continuous infusion, 4-6 units of platelets and 1-2 units of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) every 12 h were given to all patients. Previously untreated patients received either daunorubicin, idarubicin or mitoxantrone in combination with cytarabine (Ara-C). For relapsed and refractory patients, regimens included amsacrine with high-dose cytarabine (Amsa/HiDac), homoharringtonine (HHT) alone, or with Ara-C, mitoxantrone and bisantrene. Hemorrhagic complications occurred in only 1 out of 46 courses (2%). Complete remission rates (CR) were as follows: previously untreated 83% (10/12), relapsed 66% (21/32), primary refractory 50% (1/2). Amsa/HiDac resulted in a 71% (10/14) CR and HHT-based regimens achieved a 46% (6/13) CR. These regimens are effective and the value of their incorporation into primary therapy should be studied. The use of heparin with platelet and FFP transfusions every 12 h reduces the risk of hemorrhage during induction therapy.

Phase II Trial of Fludarabine Phosphate in Multiple Myeloma Using a Loading Dose and Continuous Infusion Schedule

A phase II trial of fludarabine phosphate using a bolus and continuous infusion regimen in previously treated multiple myeloma was performed. No responses were observed in eleven patients. There was no significant non-hematologic toxicity noted. Fludarabine phosphate is inactive in multiple myeloma using this schedule.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of amonafide (NSC 308847) in 62 patients

Amonafide (A) demonstrates dose-related increases in area under the curve (AUC) and Cmax values. Total body clearance for A (ranging from 44.2 to 53.8 L/hr/m2) is relatively constant within the dosing range of this study. The dose-related increase of AUC was also observed for the two identified metabolites, acetylamonafide (AA) and noramonafide (NA). A and NA plasma data could be described by a four-compartmental model (two compartments for A, one compartment each for NA and AA). The fitting for NA was poor owing to its low plasma concentration. The terminal half-lives for A, NA, and AA were in the range of 3-6 hr. No cumulative accumulation of parent compound or metabolites was detected after daily administration, The concentrations of A, NA, and AA 24 hr after dosing were either below or very close to the quantitative limits of the assay. Polymorphic disposition of A was confirmed by a frequency distribution of AUC value versus dose plot.

Phase II trial of fludarabine phosphate (F-ara-AMP) in patients with advanced head and neck cancer

SummaryThirteen patients with advanced head and neck cancer were entered into a phase II study of fludarabine phosphate. Fludarabine phosphate was given by continuous infusion for 5 days, at a starting dose of 20 mg/m2 per day for patients previously treated with one regimen and 25 mg/m2 per day for previously untreated patients; therapy was repeated every 3–4 weeks. Of the 13 patients, 3 had undergone one prior regimen and 10 patients were previously untreated by chemotherapy. No responses were observed. Myelosuppression was the most common toxicity observed. Four patients developed mild nausea, vomiting and seven developed bleeding stomatitis that resolved in one week. In addition, four patients developed headaches which resolved spontaneously. No renal, hepatic, or neurotoxicity was observed. Our study demonstrates that in previously treated and untreated patients, fludarabine phosphate given on this schedule has little activity in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.