title: Phase II study of intravenous 6-thioguanine in patients with advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.
abstract: In a phase II study, 32 patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma were treated with intravenous 6-thioguanine. A 30-min infusion of 55 mg/m2 (starting dose) was administered once a day for 5 consecutive days, the course being repeated every 5 weeks. A median of two courses (range, 1-10) was administered. Among the 32 patients, 30 having measurable cancer and optimum follow-up were fully assessable for response. One patient achieved a partial response of extensive liver metastases (12+ months), and another patient had a transient minor response (5 weeks). Cancer in 27 of 30 assessable patients progressed during intravenous 6-thioguanine treatment. Myelosuppression, although frequent, was mild to moderate at these doses and did not result in significant morbidity. Nonhematologic toxicities were also mild. Our data suggest that intravenous 6-thioguanine given at this schedule is ineffective in previously untreated patients with advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ajani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Winn
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abbruzzese
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Y Z
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Patt
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Krakoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013866:Thioguanine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013866:Thioguanine