title: PCNU: phase II evaluation in advanced colorectal carcinoma.
abstract: PCNU, a N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea, was administered to 37 previously treated patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum. The drug dose was 100 mg/m2, intravenously, over one hour for good risk patients and 75 mg/m2 for poor risk patients. Poor risk patients were defined as patients over 65 years of age or having liver enzymes greater than twice normal. The infusion was repeated at 6 week intervals. Seventeen patients (median performance status 80%) received PCNU at the 100 mg/m2 dose; 20 patients (median performance status 70%) received PCNU at the 75 mg/m2 dose. Complete responses were not observed. One patient treated with 100 mg/m2 achieved a partial response. Toxicity was primarily hematological with life-threatening leukopenia and thrombocytopenia observed in six patients. PCNU administered in the described dose schedule demonstrated little therapeutic efficacy in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pazdur
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; C018627:1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidinyl)-1-nitrosourea