Phase II trial of oral beta-all trans-retinoic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma (SWOG 9157).
Twenty-nine chemotherapy-naive patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with oral beta-all trans-retinoic acid (retinoic acid, TRA 50 mg/m2 t.i.d.) on a 3-week on/one week off schedule until progression or grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Eligibility requirements allowed abnormal liver function tests as long as the creatinine and bilirubin levels were normal. No responses were seen and the median survival was four months. Grade 3 side effects occurred in II patients and grade 4 in four and included a wide range of toxicities. The results indicate that oral TRA is ineffective against primary hepatocellular carcinoma and suggest that dose-modification of this retinoid may be required in patients with significant malignant hepatic involvement.
Meyskens
F L
FL
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California (Irvine), Orange, USA.
Jacobson
J
J
Nguyen
B
B
Weiss
G R
GR
Gandara
D R
DR
MacDonald
J S
JS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014212:Tretinoin