title: Phase I study of maytansine using a 3-day schedule.
abstract: Maytansine, a new ansa macrolide antitumor antibiotic, was administered to 60 patients as part of a phase I study. The doses given ranged from 0.01 (starting level) to 0.9 mg/m2 for 3 days. The toxic effects encountered consisted principally of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally, stomatitis and alopecia. Superficial phlebitis was also encountered and occurred when the drug was diluted in a volume of less than 250 ml. Myelosuppression occurred infrequently; it was almost regularly associated with abnormal liver function tests. Antitumor activity was detected in one patient each with melanoma, breast carcinoma; and head and neck clear cell carcinoma. Further studies are indicated with this compound since it has shown evidence of activity with little or no myelosuppression.
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008453:Maytansine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010078:Oxazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010078:Oxazines; D008453:Maytansine