A phase II study of weekly edatrexate (10-EDAM) in metastatic melanoma. A National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group study.
BACKGROUND
Phase I and II clinical trials have demonstrated acceptable toxicity and promising activity of Edatrexate (10-EDAM). The objective of this multicentre phase II study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of this agent in patients with metastatic melanoma.


METHODS
Sixteen previously untreated patients with metastatic melanoma received 10-EDAM, 80 mg/m2/week intravenously. Patients were evaluated for response and toxicity.


RESULTS
There were no objective responses. The median dose intensity of 10-EDAM actually delivered was 56.25 mg/m2/week (70% of projected). Mucositis of any degree was encountered in 93.8% of patients. Grade 3 or 4 mucositis, skin rash, nausea, abdominal pain, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and hyperbilirubinemia each were encountered in 1-2 patients. There was 1 toxic death due to 10-EDAM.


CONCLUSIONS
10-EDAM is an inactive agent in metastatic melanoma.
Verma
S
S
Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research and Research Foundation (OCTRF), Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, Canada.
Quirt
I C
IC
Eisenhauer
E A
EA
Iscoe
N A
NA
Young
V J
VJ
Bodurtha
A J
AJ
Davidson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000630:Aminopterin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002170:Canada; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C040210:edatrexate; D000630:Aminopterin