title: Phase II evaluation of bisantrene hydrochloride in refractory malignant melanoma. A Southwest Oncology Group Study.
abstract: Patients with a pathologically proven diagnosis of malignant melanoma were entered into a phase II trial of bisantrene. Eligibility criteria included: measurable, metastatic disease; performance status 0-2 SWOG; and adriamycin total cumulative dose of less than 400 mg/m2. The initial bisantrene dosing schedule was 260 mg/m2 every three weeks for good risk patients. Due to the absence of an objective response and the lack of severe toxicity in the first 25 bisantrene treated patients, the starting dose was increased to 300 mg/m2 for good risk patients. Fifty-one patients received a median of two bisantrene courses (range 1-11 courses). Leukopenia was the major toxicity. Fifteen (68%) of the 22 good risk, intermediate dose patients (260 mg/m2), and 8 (80%) of the 10 good risk, high dose patients (300 mg/m2) evaluable for toxicity experienced mild-severe leukopenia. None of the 51 patients experienced a complete or partial response to bisantrene. Median survival was 3.3 months. We conclude that bisantrene is ineffective in the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
authors: University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Alberts
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Mason-Liddil
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Green
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Cowan
authors: W S
authors: WS
authors: Fletcher
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Neilan
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Guy
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000873:Anthracenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; C031404:bisantrene