title: Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor administered as a five-day continuous infusion in cancer patients: phase I toxicity and effects on lipid metabolism.
abstract: Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rH-TNF) is a cytotoxic monokine with pleiotropic effects. A phase I trial of rH-TNF was initiated using a five-day continuous intravenous (IV) infusion repeated every 28 days. Thirty-eight courses of therapy were administered to 19 patients. The starting dose was 5 X 10(4) U/m2/d, with escalations to 1.0 X 10(5), 2.0 X 10(5), 2.4 X 10(5), and 3.0 X 10(5) U/m2/d. Systemic side effects, including fever, chills, hypotension, fatigue, anorexia, and headaches, were mild and self-limiting. At the maximum tolerated dose of 3.0 X 10(5) U/m2/d, dose-limiting hematologic toxicity was manifested by transient thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Elevated bilirubin levels were also seen at the higher dose levels. Lipoprotein analysis demonstrated that the five-day treatment with rH-TNF was associated with decreases in high-density lipoproteins, as well as increases in triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins. Pharmacokinetic studies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test indicated plasma rH-TNF levels less than 0.2 U/mL. The recommended phase II dose of rH-TNF administered as a five-day continuous infusion is 2.4 X 10(5) U/m2/d.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Spriggs
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frei
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kufe
mesh_terms: D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha