title: A phase I study of bendamustine hydrochloride administered day 1+2 every 3 weeks in patients with solid tumours.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the dose limiting toxicity (DLT), and the pharmacokinetic profile (Pk) of bendamustine (BM) on a day 1 and 2 every 3 weeks schedule and to recommend a safe phase II dose for further testing. Patients with solid tumours beyond standard therapy were eligible. A 30-min intravenous infusion of BM was administered d1+d2 q 3 weeks. The starting dose was 120 mg m(-2) per day and dose increments of 20 mg m(-2) were used. Plasma and urine samples were analysed using validated high-performance liquid chromatography/fluorescence assays. Fifteen patients were enrolled. They received a median of two cycles (range 1-8). The MTD was reached at the fourth dose level. Thrombocytopaenia (grade 4) was dose limiting in two of three patients at 180 mg m(-2). One patient also experienced febrile neutropaenia. Lymphocytopaenia (grade 4) was present in every patient. Nonhaematologic toxicity including cardiac toxicity was not dose limiting with this schedule. Mean plasma Pk values of BM were tmax 35 min, t(1/2) 49.1 min, Vd 18.3 l m(-2), and clearance 265 ml min(-1) m(-2). The mean total amount of BM and its metabolites recovered in the first micturition was 8.3% (range 2.7-26%). The MTD of BM in the present dose schedule was 180 mg m(-2) on day 1+2. Thrombocytopaenia was dose limiting. The recommended dose for future phase II trials with this schedule is 160 mg m(-2) per day.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasschaert
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schrijvers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van den Brande
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyck
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merkle
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Vermorken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride