ISSN:
1432-0843
Keywords:
Key words: Echinomycin – Colorectal cancer – Phase II
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract. Echinomycin is a novel bifunctional intercalating agent derived from Streptomyces echinatus. A phase II clinical trial of echinomycin in patients with advanced, measurable colorectal cancer was initiated to determine the efficacy and toxicities of this agent. Echinomycin, 1.5 mg/m2, was given initially as a 30- to 60-min infusion every 4 weeks. After 4 episodes of anaphylaxis had occurred among the first 14 patients, the schedule was changed to a 24-h infusion, and an additional 16 patients were treated on this schedule. Treatment was given every 3 weeks. A total of 30 patients were eligible and evaluable; there were 3 (10%; 90% confidence interval, 3% – 23%) clinical responses lasting 3, 3+, and 12 months, respectively. The most serious toxicity encountered was anaphylaxis, which occurred in 5 patients, although with no serious sequelae. A premedication regimen with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine and a change in the duration of the infusion to 24 h reduced the incidence of this complication. Grade 2–3 vomiting occurred among earlier patients treated; however, with the 24-h schedule this toxicity was substantially reduced. The sole important case of hematologic toxicity was a single patient with grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Echinomycin employed in this dose and schedule had modest activity against colorectal cancer, comparable with that observed with 5-fluorouracil. Further studies in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies using a 24-h infusion with a dexamethasone premedication regimen similar to that employed prior to administration of taxol may be warranted.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002800050139
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