Phase I trial of recombinant interleukin 3 before and after carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy in patients with solid tumors: a southwest oncology group study.
Recombinant human interleukin 3 (rhIL-3, expressed in Escherichia coli) is a hematopoietic growth factor with protean biological effects on bone marrow in animal models, including enhanced granulocyte and platelet production and the capacity to ameliorate chemotherapy-induced bone marrow toxicity. We, therefore, undertook a Phase I trial in patients with advanced solid tumors and normal bone marrow function. Cohorts of four to six patients each received daily s.c. doses of rhIL-3 (SDZ-ILE-964; Sandoz) at dose levels of 1. 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 microgram/kg according to the following schedule: cycle 1, rhIL-3 days 1-14; cycle 2, carboplatin (350 mg/m2) on day 1 and etoposide (100 mg/m2) on days 1-3; and cycle 3, carboplatin (350 mg/m2) on day 1, etoposide (100 mg/m2) on days 1-3, and rhIL-3 on days 4-17. Each cycle was a total of 28 days. An analysis of 20 patients entered into all four escalating dose levels revealed that, during cycle 1, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) increased from a median baseline of 6,643/mm3 to a median of 12,692/mm3, and platelets increased from a median baseline of 314,000/mm3 to a median of 465,000/mm3. When cycle 2 was compared with cycle 3, the median ANC nadir increased from 192/mm3 to 988/mm3, and the mean ANC nadir increased from 458/mm3 to 1,297/mm3. Median platelet count nadirs increased from 29,000/mm3 to 84,000/mm3, and the mean nadir platelet counts increased from 72,000/mm3 to 129,000/mm3. Total days on which platelets were <50,000/mm3 was 52 for cycle 2 and 19 for cycle 3. The maximum tolerated dose of rhIL-3 was 5.0 microgram/kg/day; dose-limiting toxicities included fatigue, chills, fever, and headache. These data suggest a clear but variable biological activity observed with IL-3, as measured by the reduction in the depth and duration of thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia when cycle 2 was compared with cycle 3. rhIL-3 is a promising cytokine that may help to ameliorate the bone marrow toxicity observed with the use of chemotherapeutic agents.
Rinehart
J
J
Scott & White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas 76508, USA.
Margolin
K A
KA
Triozzi
P
P
Hersh
E
E
Campion
M
M
Resta
D
D
Levitt
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
D007377:Interleukin-3; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin