Abstract |
Maytansine is an experimental antitumor agent that has shown minimal efficacy against breast cancer with minimal myelosuppression in phase I trials. Forty-one patients with advanced drug-resistant breast cancer were treated with a 5-day intermittent iv infusion of maytansine repeated every 21 days. All patients had been heavily pretreated with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, or doxorubicin, and 12 had received vinblastine, mitomycin C, or investigational drugs. All patients had measurable disease and an expected survival of 6 weeks. The average performance status was 2.5. Twelve patients did not complete one full cycle of therapy, leaving 29 evaluable for response. One patient had a partial regression of pulmonary disease, seven had transient responses of less than 50% reduction in tumor or stable disease, and 21 had progressive disease. Toxic effects ( vomiting, diarrhea, ileus, lethargy, and altered mentation) were considerable. Since maytansine is a relatively nonmyelotoxic metaphase inhibitor, we feel that even minimal efficacy in heavily pretreated patients justifies further evaluation of the agent in combination therapy.
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Authors | J A Neidhart, L R Laufman, C Vaughn, J D McCracken |
Journal | Cancer treatment reports
(Cancer Treat Rep)
1980 Apr-May
Vol. 64
Issue 4-5
Pg. 675-7
ISSN: 0361-5960 [Print] United States |
PMID | 7427953
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Breast Neoplasms
(drug therapy, mortality)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Evaluation
- Drug Resistance
- Female
- Humans
- Maytansine
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Oxazines
(therapeutic use)
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