title: Phase I study of vincristine and escalating doses of etoposide.
abstract: A phase I trial of vincristine and etoposide was designed following the identification of a potentially synergistic antitumor effect in a murine model. The dose of vincristine was fixed (0.5 mg daily for 3 days). Etoposide was given at 1 of 3 total dose levels (250, 500, or 750 mg/m2) per treatment. Each dose was given in 3 equal fractions and each fraction was given daily for 3 days, i.e., 83.3 mg/m2/d x 3d, 166.7 mg/m2/d x 3d, or 250 mg/m2/d x 3d. A total of 31 patients were entered into study including 10, 18, and 3 patients treated at the 250, 500, and 750 mg/m2 dose levels, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicity occurred at the 750 mg/m2 level, in which Grade 4 myelosuppression developed in all of the patients. Life-threatening gram negative sepsis occurred in two of these patients and both required platelet transfusions. Grade 3-4 WBC toxicity was observed in 9 of 16 (56%) evaluable patients treated at the 500 mg/m2 level, but reversal of toxicity was generally rapid with repeat courses given at 3 week intervals in most patients. Non-hematologic toxicity was negligible. Objective responses were observed in 2 of 4 patients with Hodgkin's disease. The starting dose of etoposide recommended for phase II trials of this agent in combination with vincristine is 500 mg/m2; dose escalation may be possible in some patients.
authors: Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
authors: D V
authors: DV
authors: Jackson
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Cruz
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Zekan
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Caponera
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Spurr
authors: D R
authors: DR
authors: White
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Richards
authors: H B
authors: HB
authors: Muss
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide