A phase II trial of taxol in metastatic melanoma.
Taxol is an investigational new drug which is currently undergoing Phase II evaluation in various tumors. It is a plant alkaloid extracted from the western Yew, Taxus brevifolia. In this study, patients with metastatic melanoma who were previously untreated, received Taxol at a starting dose of 250 mg/m2 delivered as a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion over 24 hours, at 3-week intervals. All patients were premedicated with oral dexamethasone and IV diphenhydramine hydrochloride as prophylaxis against allergic reactions. Three of 25 patients had a partial response (PR) for a response rate of 12% (CI, 3%-31%). In addition four patients had objective regression of tumor that failed to qualify for a PR but these responses were as durable, lasting 6 to 17 months. No patient experienced acute allergic reactions. The major toxicity of Taxol was neutropenia requiring dose reduction to 200 mg/m2 in a majority of the patients. Our data confirm that Taxol has definite although limited activity against metastatic melanoma.
Legha
S S
SS
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77025.
Ring
S
S
Papadopoulos
N
N
Raber
M
M
Benjamin
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D017239:Paclitaxel
D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel