VM-26 in gastric cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group study.
The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a trial of VM-26 (teniposide) in patients with advanced gastric cancer. VM-26 60 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 30-45 minutes was given daily for 5 days every 21 days. Twenty-one eligible patients with measurable disease and a SWOG performance status of 0-2 were analyzed for response and toxicity. Partial responses were seen in 2 of the 21 eligible patients (9.5%). Median survival was 3.8 months. Severe of life-threatening toxicity was observed in 13/21 (62%) patients. This included two drug related deaths related to neutropenic sepsis and seven other patients with grade 4 granulocytopenia (< 500/mm3). Liver dysfunction and hypotension were seen less often and were not dose limiting. Although the modest activity seen was comparable to that of VP-16 (etoposide) as a single agent, the hematologic toxicity observed in this trial would likely preclude further trials of VM-26 (teniposide) in advanced gastric cancer.
Berenberg
J L
JL
Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Honolulu.
Tangen
C
C
Macdonald
J S
JS
Barlogie
B
B
Laufman
L R
LR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013713:Teniposide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013713:Teniposide