Mitoxantrone in metastatic apudomas: a phase II study of the EORTC Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Cooperative Group.

Abstract

We performed a phase II study with mitoxantrone in patients with carcinoid tumours, islet cell tumours and medullary carcinomas of the thyroid. Thirty-five eligible patients received mitoxantrone 12 mg m-2 i.v. every 3 weeks. Among 18 previously untreated patients, three responded (17%, 95% CI = 4-41%); no responses were achieved in 17 previously treated patients. Of the 21 patients who had carcinoid tumours, 11 were previously untreated and two achieved a response (18%, 95% CI = 2-52%). Overall response rate was 9% (95% CI = 2-23%). At a median follow-up of 43 months, median overall survival was 16 months. The median survival of 21 patients with a normal alkaline phosphatase was 29 months and 9 months for 14 patients with elevated serum levels (P = 0.005). A similar observation was noticed for gamma-glutamyltransferase (P = 0.007). We concluded that mitoxantrone is not active in APUD tumours. Elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase are associated with a poor prognosis.

• Authors: J P Neijt, A J Lacave, T A Splinter, B G Taal, C H Veenhof, T Sahmoud, C J Lips
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 71 Issue 1 Pg. 106-8 (Jan 1995) ISSN: 0007-0920 [Print] England
• PMID: 7819024 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Mitoxantrone
• Alkaline Phosphatase

Topics

• Adenoma, Islet Cell (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Aged
• Alkaline Phosphatase (blood)
• Apudoma (drug therapy, mortality)
• Carcinoid Tumor (drug therapy)
• Carcinoma, Medullary (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mitoxantrone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Survival Rate
• Thyroid Neoplasms (drug therapy)