Oral etoposide for patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
OBJECTIVE
Oral etoposide has been shown to be effective against some solid tumor types. This phase II study examined the efficacy of oral etoposide in patients with untreated advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.


METHODS
Previously untreated patients with measurable unresectable or metastatic disease were eligible for inclusion in this study. They were required to have a Zubrod performance status of < or = 2 and normal hematological, renal, and hepatic functions. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The etoposide dose was 50 mg/m2/d given orally daily for 21 days with a 7-day rest period and was adjusted based on toxicity. Response was assessed after two courses of therapy.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients were enrolled and fourteen were evaluable for toxicity and response. Twelve patients developed progressive disease while two patients had only a minor response. The median number of courses was 2 (range, 1-4) and there were 29 total courses delivered. The median survival was 3.5 months (range, 1.6-25.9). There were no treatment-related deaths. Toxicity was moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral etoposide is not effective against advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Thomas
E
E
Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Dumas
P
P
Ajani
J A
JA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005047:Etoposide