Phase I study of N-methylformamide in patients with advanced cancer.
N-Methylformamide (N-MF) belongs to a class of polar-planar compounds which induce cellular differentiation. Preclinical antitumor activity was demonstrated against human mammary, colon, and lung tumor xenografts and L1210 and P388 murine leukemias. This phase I study used a single bolus infusion of N-MF given weekly X 3 doses every 6 weeks. Thirty-five patients were treated with N-MF at doses which ranged from 125 to 3125 mg/m2/week. The dose-limiting toxic effects included nausea and vomiting, anorexia, malaise, and liver function abnormalities. No myelosuppression was seen. The recommended dose for phase II trials of N-MF with this schedule is to initiate therapy at 2000 mg/m2 weekly X 3 and escalate to 2500 mg/m2 if the initial dose was well tolerated.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005559:Formamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005559:Formamides; C002950:methylformamide