title: Phase II trial of methylglyoxal bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG) in refractory small cell lung cancer.
abstract: Methylglyoxal bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG), a potent inhibitor of polyamine synthesis, has demonstrated single agent activity against a number of tumor types including malignant lymphomas and head and neck, esophageal and non-small cell lung cancers. The growth of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines can be arrested by polyamine inhibition. Therefore a phase II trial was conducted in twenty-four patients with refractory SCLC. MGBG was administered by intravenous infusion at a dose of 500 mg/m2 per week for four cycles and then every two weeks thereafter. The dose was escalated by 100 mg/m2 every two weeks in the absence of toxicity greater than or equal to grade 2. One patient achieved a partial response of objectively measurable lung disease and supraclavicular adenopathy. Three patients had stable disease. Dose limiting toxicity consisted primarily of mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, stomatitis and/or diarrhea. Myelosuppression was uncommon and rarely dose limiting. We conclude that MGBG in the dose and schedule used does not have significant activity as a single agent in previously treated small cell lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eckenrode
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Natale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008935:Mitoguazone / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D008935:Mitoguazone