A phase I study of suramin with once- or twice-monthly dosing in patients with advanced cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The optimal schedule of administration of suramin has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and toxicities of suramin when administered using a fixed dosing scheme on a once- or twice-monthly schedule.


METHODS
A total of 40 patients were treated on this phase I dose-escalation study employing a once-monthly (day 1 of each 28-day cycle) and a twice-monthly (days 1 and 8 of each 28-day cycle) schedule.


RESULTS
The most common dose-limiting events included fatigue, neuropathy, and anorexia. We identified the 1440 mg/m(2) dose level to be the maximal tolerated dose for both schedules, with 83% of patients developing dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) on the twice-monthly schedule, and 67% developing DLT on the monthly schedule. At the 1200 mg/m(2) dose level, only 25% developed DLT on the twice-monthly schedule and 33% developed DLT on the monthly schedule. Trough suramin levels gradually increased with higher dose levels but fell well below the putative toxic concentration of 350 microg/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Suramin can be safely administered using a monthly schedule without using plasma concentrations to guide dosing.
Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago MC2115, 5841S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, USA. cryan@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Christopher W
CW
Ryan
Everett E
EE
Vokes
Nicholas J
NJ
Vogelzang
Linda
L
Janisch
Ken
K
Kobayashi
Mark J
MJ
Ratain
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001682:Biological Availability; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012449:Safety; D013498:Suramin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013498:Suramin