title: Tolerance to single-dose dactinomycin in combination chemotherapy for solid tumors.
abstract: We have reviewed our experience using single-dose dactinomycin (Act D). Twenty-nine patients with Ewing's sarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma received 114 courses of Act D (2 mg/m2) in combination with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, or DTIC with or without radiotherapy. Side effects included nausea and vomiting (100% of the courses), severe thrombocytopenia (16%), granulocytopenia (18%), and mucositis (25%). In addition, skin reactions were observed in 74% of the courses following concomitant radiotherapy. These results were compared with those following 152 courses of combination chemotherapy which contained doxorubicin in place of Act D and which were administered to these same patients. It is concluded that single-bolus Act D is no more toxic, is at least as effective, and is more conveniently administered than the traditional divided daily dose of Act D.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide