In a series of 84 various evaluable disseminated
cancer patients treated with
hydrazine sulfate as a result of a
pharmaceutical-sponsored
investigational new drug (IND) study, it was found that 59/84 or 70% of the cases improved subjectively and 14/84 or 17% improved objectively. Subjective responses included increased appetite with either
weight gain or cessation of
weight loss, increase in strength and improved performance status and decrease in
pain. Objective responses included measurable
tumor regression, disappearance of or decrease in neoplastic-associated disorders and long-term (over 1 year) 'stabilized condition'. Of the overall 59 subjective improvements 25 (42%) had no concurrent or prior (within 3 months) anticancer
therapy of any type. Of the 14 objective improvements 7 (50%) had no concurrent or prior anticancer
therapy. Of the remaining cases in which there was either concurrent or prior anticancer
therapy, improvements occurred only after the addition of
hydrazine sulfate to the treatment regimen. Duration of improvement was variable, from temporary to long-term and continuing. Side effects were mild, comprising for the most part low incidences of extremity
paresthesias,
nausea,
pruritus and drowsiness; there was no indication of bone marrow depression.