A phase II study of weekly oral methotrexate and zidovudine (AZT) in advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and hepatocellular carcinoma.
From January 1992 through May 1993, 31 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas or hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with weekly oral methotrexate (7.5 mg/M2 every 6 hours for 6 doses) and continuous oral AZT (200 mg four times daily). Patients were treated for a total of 6 months or until disease progression. The median age was 66 (range 44-79) and the median KPS was 80. No patient had received prior chemotherapy. Hematologic toxicity was severe with 50% of patients developing hemoglobins less than 8 gm/dl and 70% with granulocyte counts less than 1000 per mm3. One patient achieved a radiographic complete remission and 2 had stable disease. Two-thirds of patients progressed within 2 months of beginning therapy. The combination of methotrexate and AZT is an inactive regimen in pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinoma and is associated with considerable toxicity.
Department of Medicine, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA.
K D
KD
Miller
P J
PJ
Loehrer
R
R
Gonin
G
G
Weber
R
R
Ansari
W
W
Pletcher
J
J
McClean
C H
CH
Spiridonidis
J
J
Mortimer
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D015215:Zidovudine; D008727:Methotrexate