Restorative effect of muroctasin on leukopenia caused by anticancer chemotherapy in lung cancer. Comparative study by envelope method.

Abstract

N2-[(N-Acetylmuramoyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine (MDP-Lys(L18), muroctasin), a derivative of muramyl dipeptide, is known to have the activity to augment the number of white blood cells (WBC) via colony-stimulating factor. Muroctasin has been expected to be applied to leukopenia caused by anticancer chemotherapy. When WBC decreased to less than or equal to 3,000/mm3 after the 1st course of chemotherapy, 131 patients with lung cancer, who were previously classified by the combination regimens of chemotherapy, were enrolled in the study and randomized into 3 groups, 200 micrograms (H), 100 micrograms (L) and untreated control (C) groups. The patients were then subcutaneously treated once daily for 6 consecutive days. WBC and its differential count were measured on Days 4, 7 and 15 after commencement of the study. WBCs in H and L groups were recovered greater than in C group. In WBC differential count, the recovery of neutrophil was prominent in muroctasin treated groups. The portion of immature neutrophil in the bone marrow was also increased by muroctasin treatment. A restorative effect on WBC and neutrophil counts was also confirmed only in the second course of H group. On the other hand, fever and pain in the injected site as side effects were common in the H group and L group in both of courses. In this study, the usefulness of muroctasin in leukopenia was suggested when administered at dosages of 200 micrograms for 6 days.

• Authors: M Fukuoka, M Takada, N Takifuji, N Sakai, S Ryu, N Masuda, K Matsui, S Negoro, Y Kusunoki, E Tubura
• Journal: Arzneimittel-Forschung (Arzneimittelforschung) Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. 90-3 (Jan 1989) ISSN: 0004-4172 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 2719748 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine
• romurtide

Topics

• Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Bacterial Infections (complications)
• Blood Cell Count
• Bone Marrow (pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Leukocyte Count
• Leukopenia (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Lung Neoplasms (complications)
• Male
• Middle Aged