title: Hexamethylmelamine. An evaluation of its role in the therapy of cancer.
abstract: Hexamethylmelamine (HMM) has been undergoing clinical trials for about a decade under the sponsorship of the National Cancer Institute. It has been tested in Phase II and III cooperative group studies and has a wide spectrum of activity in solid tumors. Its activity is most marked in ovarian cancer, lymphomas, and carcinoma of the cervix; the drug is also active in bronchogenic carcinoma and carcinoma of the breast. Considerable clinical evidence suggests a lack of cross-resistance between HMM and alkylating agents. the currently popular dose is 300 mg/m2/day p.o. for indefinite periods if tolerated. The dose-limiting toxicity is neurologic, but gastrointestinal side effects and a moderate degree of myelosuppression are also observed. Combination chemotherapy using HMM is underway in ovarian and lung cancer. Futher exploration of its activity as a single agent in tumors such as those of the bladder, prostate, and uterus, and in combination chemotherapy in lymphomas, and mammary, cervical, and pulmonary tumors is warranted.
mesh_terms: D006585:Altretamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000188:drug therapy; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014227:Triazines; D006585:Altretamine