Phase I trial of echinomycin (NSC 526417), a bifunctional intercalating agent, administered by 24-hour continuous infusion.

Abstract

Echinomycin was administered to 43 patients with advanced cancer in escalating doses ranging from 60 to 2128 mcg/m2. The dose-limiting toxicity of echinomycin administered as a 24-h continuous infusion every 28 days was nausea and vomiting beginning at the end of the 24 h infusion and lasting from 3 to 8 days. Other toxicities included sporadic thrombocytopenia and biochemical evidence of liver dysfunction characterized by elevations in SGOT. Peripheral vein phlebitis was noted in 100% of patients, and watery diarrhea of 24-48-h duration was noted in 7% of patients. The maximally tolerated dose of echinomycin was 2128 mcg/m2. The recommended dose for phase II trials utilizing the 24-h continuous infusion schedule is 1600 mcg/m2 repeated every 28 days with pretreatment antiemetics.

• Authors: J G Kuhn, D D Von Hoff, M Hersh, T Melink, G M Clark, G R Weiss, C A Coltman
• Journal: European journal of cancer & clinical oncology (Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 797-803 (May 1989) ISSN: 0277-5379 [Print] England
• PMID: 2737217 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Quinoxalines
• Echinomycin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Drug Evaluation
• Echinomycin (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Female
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nausea (chemically induced)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Platelet Count (drug effects)
• Quinoxalines (administration & dosage)
• Thrombocytopenia (chemically induced)
• Vomiting (chemically induced)