title: VM-26 in gastric cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Honolulu.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Berenberg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tangen
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barlogie
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Laufman
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D013713:Teniposide