Talley Rw

Bis chloroethyl nitrosourea, vincristine, dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide and chlorpromazine combination chemotherapy in disseminated malignant melanoma

One hundred twenty‐one patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were treated with BCNU, vincristine, DTIC, and chlorpromazine (BVD). A response rate of 22% was observed; 28% of the patients had stable disease and 50% had increasing disease. Similar response rates were obtained with both the high dose and low dose treatment schedules. Patients who exhibited some degree of improvement during their initial course of treatment had the highest overall response rate (72%) to BVD chemotherapy. The median survival from onset of therapy was six months for all patients and 18 months for patients who responded to chemotherapy. The median duration of response was 9.9 months. Thus, the addition of chlorpromazine to BVD chemotherapy did not increase tumor response, and the overall results obtained were comparable to DTIC alone.

VM26 (NSC-122819): A clinical study in advanced cancer of the lung and ovary☆

Abstract Fifty-five evaluable patients with advanced carcinoma of the lung ( 25 squamous, 19 adeno, 11 small cell) and 16 patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the ovary were treated with VM 26 in a phase II study. Only one response was noted, a partial (> 50% ) remission in squamous cell cancer of the lung for 8 + months. The drug was well tolerated with minimal nausea, vomiting, anorexia and alopecia. Myelosuppression was infrequent in patients not previously treated with chemotherapy and usually tolerable in patients previously treated. Orthostatic hypotension, hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy were not observed. On the basis of this report VM 26 does not appear to demonstrate any significant antitumor effect in advanced cancer of the lung and ovary.

Phase II evaluation of chlorozotocin (NSC-178248) in advanced human cancer

Abstract A phase II evaluation of chlorozoticin (CZT), a water soluble nitrosourea, was undertaken to determine its effectiveness and toxicity in a variety of human metastatic neoplasms. The dosage regimen chosen was either 90 or 120 mg/m 2 given by i.v. bolus every six weeks. Dosage escalation or de-escalation was dependent on toxicity. There have been 152 patients evaluable for response. The only significant response rates observed were in non-Hodgkins lymphoma ( 5/11 ) and sarcoma ( 4/27 ). Single responses were observed in breast and oat cell carcinoma of lung. No responses were observed in melanoma, colorectal, kidney, non-oat cell lung, pancreas, stomach and other carcinomas. Hematological toxicity has been minimal as predicted, but does appear to be cumulative. The major G.I. toxicity has been nausea and vomiting—usually controllable. Occasional hepatic enzyme elevations were observed, and azotemia was observed in 6 patients. Both were reversible. Rare skin and occasional CNS reactions were also seen.

Phase II trial of methyl-GAG (NSC-32946) in squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the lung

THIRTY-FOUR ASSESSABLE PATIENTS with advanced squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the lung were treated with weekly MGBG in a phase II trial. Only one partial response, in adenocarcinoma, was observed. Myelosuppression was mild to moderate. Major toxicities consisted of myalgia, myopathy, mucositis, gastrointestinal and pronounced vasculitis in one patient. It would appear that MGBG does not have sufficient antitumor activity to warrant further investigation in advanced squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Cis-platinum plus high-dose methotrexate Toxicity and efficacy in ovarian carcinoma

CIS-PLATINUM PLUS HIGH-DOSE METHOTREXATE with citrovorum factor rescue underwent an initial evaluation of toxicity in patients with pelvic or abdominal adeno-carcinoma and a subsequent efficacy trial in proven ovarian cancers. Forty-five patients with advanced abdominal adenocarcinoma were evaluable for toxicity. Toxicity was minimal and was not exacerbated by the presence of effusions or by modestly compromised renal function. Twenty-six patients had definite ovarian primaries and were evaluable for efficacy. All but four were refractory to standard therapy. Seven achieved either complete response (four) or partial response (three). Four additional patients showed lesser, but clinically important, objective responses. Patients who had not received prior therapy all responded with three of the four attaining complete response lasting from 7–22+ months. This regimen is well tolerated and has definite tumoricidal activity even in heavily pretreated patients.