title: A phase I trial of high-dose continuous-infusion hydroxyurea.
abstract: Hydroxyurea inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, resulting in depletion of intracellular deoxynucleotide pools and inhibition of DNA repair. It has been used in a variety of malignancies and is usually given orally. Deoxynucleotide depletion is directly related to the concentration of and duration of exposure to hydroxyurea; thus, prolonged continuous infusion may result in increased therapeutic efficacy. A total of 30 patients were treated on this trial, designed to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) of intravenous hydroxyurea given as a 24- or 48-h continuous infusion. The MTD for the 24-h infusion was 13,520 mg/m2 following a bolus of 1,690 mg/m2, and the mean (+/- SD) plasma steady-state concentration was 1.93 +/- 0.52 mM. For the 48-h infusion, the MTD was 17,576 mg/m2 following a bolus of 2,197 mg/m2 and the mean steady-state level was 1.43 +/- 0.31 mM. The dose-limiting toxicity on both schedules was marrow suppression manifesting as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed decreasing clearance with increasing dose, implying that drug elimination is saturable. Pharmacodynamic analysis showed a slight correlation between steady-state plasma levels and the degree of marrow suppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gwilt
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Trump
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006918:Hydroxyurea