title: Treatment of metastasized midgut carcinoids with dacarbazine.
abstract: Seven patients with metastasized midgut carcinoids were treated with intravenous infusion of dacarbazine [dimethyltriazenoimidazole carboxamide (DTIC)] (650 mg/m2) every 4 wk. After 2 wk, white blood cell counts decreased transiently in three patients. No other DTIC-associated side effects occurred. Biochemical markers of disease activity decreased significantly in four patients for 4-20 months (mean duration, 12 months). Size of hepatic metastases was reduced or remained unchanged in six patients for 6-20 months (mean duration, 10 months). Clinical symptoms such as cutaneous flush, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, night sweat, or weight loss improved in six of seven patients. We conclude that DTIC represents a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced and metastasized carcinoid tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ritzel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Leonhardt
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stöckmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramadori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000652:urine; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D003606:Dacarbazine