Phase II evaluation of bleomycin. A Southwest oncology Group study.
Bleomycin given intravenously (i.v.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) in twice-weekly doses of 10 mg/m2 was evaluated for efficacy and toxicity in 382 patients. Responses were observed in 11/27 Hodgkin's diseases, 10/30 lymphomas, 9/22 squamous cell cancers of ectodermal origin, 12/26 germinal cancers, and 3/8 renal adenocarcinomas. The i.m. route is less likely to casue pulmonary toxicity or hypotension than the i.v. route. Advanced age and total doses exceeding 200 mg were associated with a higher risk of lung toxicity. All responders had shown at least improvement upon receiving 200 mg; higher total doses should be used only in responding patients.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001761:Bleomycin