title: Phase II trial of amonafide in advanced pancreas cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group study.
abstract: Amonafide is a new synthetic anticancer agent whose mechanism of action is through inhibition of macromolecular synthesis as well as DNA intercalation. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) has investigated this drug in a phase II study of pancreas cancer. Thirty-six patients were registered on this study: of these 29 were eligible for response evaluation, and 20 received the two cycles required for making a response assessment. Patients met the standard phase II criteria of no prior chemotherapy, measurable disease and a SWOG performance status of 2 or less. Toxicity, predominantly hematologic with significant neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, was quite severe. Four treatment related deaths were encountered. No responses were seen in thirty-six patients studied. We conclude that this drug is not active against adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Leichman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tangen
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leimert
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007094:Imides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053644:Naphthalimides; D063065:Organophosphonates; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007094:Imides; D007546:Isoquinolines; D053644:Naphthalimides; D063065:Organophosphonates; C037020:amonafide; D000225:Adenine