title: Phase I trial of the thioether phospholipid analogue BM 41.440 in cancer patients.
abstract: BM 41.440 (1-hexadecylmercapto-2-methoxymethyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a new thioether phospholipid, which has been shown to possess antineoplastic, antimetastatic, anti-invasive and immunomodulating properties in several tumor models. The mechanism whereby this compound exerts its direct antineoplastic effect is thought to be related to specific interference with the normal phospholipid metabolism, preferentially of neoplastic cells. BM 41.440 was evaluated in a multicenter phase I study in patients (pts) with refractory cancers. In phase I A, 34 pts were orally treated with doses ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 mg/kg body weight (bw). Three different formulations were tested. The maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) was ca. 5 mg/kg bw. The limiting side effects were nausea and vomiting. There was no evidence for systemic toxicities like myelosuppression, nephro-, neuro-, hepatotoxicity or hematological side effects. The current phase I B is designed to determine the MTD of BM 41.440 administered orally on a daily schedule for at least eight weeks. So far, 19 pts have entered this trial at dose levels ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/kg bw/day. Some pts receiving 1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, have been treated, up to now, for more than nine months. Clinical progress was followed with at-least-weekly blood counts, chemistry profiles, urine analysis, liver function tests and recordings of side effects. Tumor parameters were evaluated at eight-week intervals. In parallel, pharmacokinetic investigations were performed in some pts in phase I A and IB. First results on tolerability and therapeutic efficacy of the long-term BM 41.440 treatment are reported in this intermediate evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Department of Clinical Research, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berdel
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Heim
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fromm
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boerner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bicker
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010755:Organophosphates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers; C043297:ilmofosine