title: Phase II trial to topotecan in hepatocellular carcinoma: a Southwest Oncology Group study.
abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a highly chemoresistant neoplasm. In this study of the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan a response rate of 13.9% (95% confidence interval 4.7%-29.5%) was obtained utilizing a five consecutive day bolus infusion schedule. There were no complete responses and the median survival was only eight months. Furthermore, treatment with topotecan produced significant toxicity with two-thirds of patients experiencing life-threatening (grade 4) neutropenia. When used in this dose and schedule, topotecan does not appear to be effective for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, Concord, NC, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D019772:Topotecan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D019772:Topotecan