Compatibility and stability of the novel anti-cancer agent C1311 in infusion devices and its in vitro biocompatibility

C1311 is the lead compound from the imidazoacridinones, a novel group of rationally designed anti-cancer agents. The compound is pharmaceutically formulated as a lyophilized product containing 100 mg C1311 (anhydrous free base) per dosage unit and requires reconstitution before intravenous administration. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of C1311 in the reconstituted solution and infusion solution and its compatibility with infusion devices. Moreover, the buffer capacity and haemolytic potential of C1311 infusion solutions, which exhibit a relatively low pH of 2-3, were evaluated in vitro. C1311 was shown to be stable in the reconstituted solution for at least 48 h and for at least 96 h after subsequent dilution in 0.9% sodium chloride and 5% dextrose. In vitro infusion simulation studies showed C1311 infusion solutions to be compatible with a low-density polyethylene administration set. Furthermore, the buffer capacity and haemolysis studies showed no indications for haemolysis or potential for vascular irritation upon continuous infusion of C1311. In conclusion, C1311 lyophilized product is adequately stable and compatible after reconstitution and in infusion fluids to be used in the clinic and is not expected to cause formulation-associated side effects in the intended administration schedule in the forthcoming Phase I clinical study.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials: evaluation of benefit from gemcitabine-based combination chemotherapy applied in advanced pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Single-agent gemcitabine (GEM) is a standard treatment for advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer. This study examines the question whether GEM-based combination chemotherapy can further improve treatment efficacy.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate randomized trials comparing GEM versus GEM+X (X = cytotoxic agent). Fifteen trials including 4465 patients were eligible for an analysis of overall survival, the primary end-point of this investigation.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed a significant survival benefit for GEM+X with a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85 - 0.97, p = 0.004). The overall test for heterogeneity resulted in p = 0.82 (I2 = 0%). The analysis of platinum-based combinations indicated a HR of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76 - 0.96, p = 0.010), while for fluoropyrimidine-based combinations the HR was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81 - 0.99, p = 0.030). No risk reduction was observed in the group of trials combining GEM with irinotecan, exatecan or pemetrexed (HR = 0.99). A meta-analysis of the trials with adequate information on baseline performance status (PS) was performed in five trials with 1682 patients. This analysis indicated that patients with a good PS had a marked survival benefit when receiving combination chemotherapy (HR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.87; p < 0.0001). By contrast, application of combination chemotherapy to patients with an initially poor PS appeared to be ineffective (HR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.90 - 1.29, p = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis of randomized trials indicated a significant survival benefit when GEM was either combined with platinum analogs or fluoropyrimidines. Based on a preliminary subgroup analysis (representing 38% of all patients included in this meta-analysis), pancreatic cancer patients with a good PS appear to benefit from GEM-based cytotoxic combinations, whereas patients with a poor PS seem to have no survival benefit from combination chemotherapy.

Potential clinical use of an adrenergic/cholinergic agent (HP 128) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

A novel compound designated HP 128, which manifests adrenergic and cholinergic properties, was administered for 10 days to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All patients who entered the trial had previously failed to respond to a structurally related cholinesterase inhibitor without adrenergic properties (HP 029). The primary purpose of the study was to assess the safety and tolerance of HP 128. Efficacy measures were obtained to generate hypotheses for possible future studies. In the dosage range examined, HP 128 was safe and well tolerated. Effects on clinical measures of dementia severity were equivocal.

Acute hepatitis after tetrahydroaminoacridine administration for Alzheimer's disease

Tetrahydroaminoacridine administration has been proposed as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Although recent studies have shown that tetrahydroaminoacridine administration can be associated with mild or moderate liver dysfunction, to our knowledge, no case of symptomatic hepatitis with severe liver lesions has heretofore been reported. We describe a patient who developed jaundice after receiving tetrahydroaminoacridine for three weeks. Histologic examination showed extensive hepatocellular necrosis. Tetrahydroaminoacridine withdrawal was followed by the disappearance of jaundice within a few days and complete recovery within 5 weeks. This case shows that tetrahydroaminoacridine administration can induce marked liver cell necrosis resulting in symptomatic acute hepatitis.

Clinical safety, tolerance, and plasma levels of the oral anticholinesterase 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridin-1-oL-maleate (HP 029) in Alzheimer's disease: preliminary findings

HP 029 (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridin-1-oL-maleate), an oral anticholinesterase, enhances memory in rodents and may be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). To assess adverse events in relation to dosage and plasma drug levels, 24 hospitalized AD subjects were randomly assigned to receive placebo or HP 029 for 10 days in a double-blind, sequential escalation study. Maximum daily dosages were 450 mg (group 1), 300 mg (group 2), and 225 mg (group 3), divided into three doses per day. The group 1 trial was discontinued on day 5 because one subject, 6 hours following the second of three scheduled 150-mg doses, had a tonic seizure after protracted vomiting and hyperventilation; adverse events in other patients included nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, and syncope. Adverse events were generally less severe in group 2, but only two of six HP 029 subjects could complete the trial at 300 mg/day. All group 3 subjects completed the trial at 225 mg/day with drug related, mild adverse events (nausea, vomiting, lacrimation, rhinorrhea) in only two subjects. Although mean plasma drug levels were related to adverse events across dosage groups, they did not adequately predict the occurrence or severity of adverse events in individual subjects. The 225 mg/day dose appears to be safe for use in multicenter outpatient trials of HP 029 efficacy in AD. Further patient studies are ongoing to determine the relation of specific subject characteristics to the metabolic profile of HP 029 and biological response.

Heterogeneity of adverse hepatic reactions to tetrahydroaminoacridine

Of 14 patients taking tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) for the trial treatment of Alzheimer's disease, five developed mildly abnormal liver function tests. Four asymptomatic patients with persistently abnormal serum transaminase levels underwent liver biopsy, in order to determine the nature of the hepatic lesions. One subject had granulomatous hepatitis while three showed focal, predominantly centrilobular, liver cell necrosis and mild fatty change. One of the latter showed both tissue and peripheral blood eosinophilia. The liver function tests of the fifth patient, who was symptomatic, became normal after reduction of the dose of THA so he did not undergo biopsy. These findings suggest that the pathogenic mechanisms for THA-induced liver injury are heterogeneous ranging from hypersensitivity reactions to direct injury, and including combinations of the two. Patients receiving THA for treatment of Alzheimer's disease need regular monitoring of liver function.

The use of tacrine (THA) and succinylcholine compared with alcuronium during laparoscopy

Either tacrine (THA) with succinylcholine or alcuronium was used on a randomized basis for laparoscopic procedures in twenty young females. The technique using THA with succinylcholine was found to be more suitable and predictable for this procedure and gave a smoother anaesthetic course, brighter recovery and minimal postoperative complications.

Amsacrine-associated cardiotoxicity: an analysis of 82 cases

Amsacrine is an antileukemia drug being widely used in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In the initial clinical trials, patients treated with amsacrine developed occasional instances of acute cardiac arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. We review and analyze the features of cardiac abnormalities associated with amsacrine in 82 patients, 27 of whom have not been previously reported. The rest have been reported in the literature, but we have included a large amount of additional information about these patients in our analysis. We conclude that amsacrine-related cardiac events are less common than those related to anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents. Manifestations of such toxicity include ECG abnormalities, ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, sudden death, and congestive heart failure. There is little or no cumulative dose effect. Hypokalemia may be a risk factor for development of serious tachyarrhythmias, but such problems can occur despite a normal serum potassium level. Amsacrine appears to affect depolarization and repolarization of the heart, but the mechanism is unknown.

Randomized trial of high-dose cytarabine versus amsacrine in acute myelogenous leukemia in relapse: a Leukemia Intergroup Study

Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia in relapse who were ineligible for further anthracycline therapy either because they were judged to be anthracycline resistant or had received the maximum doses were randomized to receive high-dose cytarabine (3 g/m2 every 12 hours for 6 days) or amsacrine (75 mg/m2 daily for 7 days). The response rates in both groups were similar: three of 25 patients given high-dose cytarabine and three of 23 given amsacrine obtained complete remissions.

Acute myocardial necrosis during administration of amsacrine

The authors report a case of focal myocardial necrosis, presenting clinically as an acute myocardial infarction during the administration of the antineoplastic drug, amsacrine, in a patient without coronary artery disease. In addition to the recognized arrhythmic complications, the authors emphasize myocardial necrosis as a possible further manifestation of amsacrine-related cardiotoxicity.

Efficacy and clinical cross-resistance of a new combination therapy (AMSA/VP16) in previously treated patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

We investigated the tolerance, efficacy, and clinical cross-resistance of a new combination chemotherapy in 38 patients with previously treated acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). It consisted of 120 mg2/d 4'(9-acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-Anisidide (m-AMSA) in a one-hour infusion and 80 mg/m2/d etoposide (VP-16) in a 24-hour infusion, both administered for 5 days. The first 27 patients also received vinblastine, 6 mg/m2 on day 8, but this therapy was discontinued because of intestinal complications. Thirteen of 23 patients (56%) at first or subsequent relapse and five of 15 patients (33%) who were primarily resistant to an anthracycline/cytarabine combination achieved a complete response (CR) (hemoglobin level not taken into account) with a median CR duration of 5 months and 2 months, respectively. The response rate was as high as 63% for patients at first or second relapse whether the remission was maintained or not. The median times to recovery of normal bone marrow cellularity, of blood granulocyte counts greater than 500/microL, and of platelets greater than 20,000/microL were 34, 27, and 22 days, respectively. Marked but reversible gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in 24% of the patients, and two patients died of infection during induction. The one-hour AMSA/continuous VP-16 combination is effective for patients with relapsing AML and shows no cross-resistance in a proportion of patients refractory to the standard anthracycline-cytarabine combination.

Phase II study with amsacrines (m-AMSA and m-AMSA lactate) in refractory lymphomas

A total of 70 patients with malignant lymphomas refractory to one or more chemotherapeutic regimens were treated with iv amsacrines (m-AMSA and m-AMSA lactate). Of 58 evaluable patients, 12 had Hodgkin's disease and 46 had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty-nine of the evaluable patients received m-AMSA and 29 received m-AMSA lactate. The amsacrines were recycled every 3 weeks. The doses of m-AMSA were 90-120, 70, and 25-30 mg/m2/day for 3 days, respectively. All patients treated with m-AMSA lactate received a single dose of 225 mg/m2. In Hodgkin's disease, the response rate was 58.3% (one complete response among 12 patients), and in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the response rate was 30.4% (six complete responses among 46 patients). The median duration of response was 3 and 5 months, respectively. The response rate was unfavorably affected by the presence of extra-nodal disease and a Karnofsky performance status less than 80. There was no important difference in the incidence and duration of response between m-AMSA and m-AMSA lactate. After vomiting, myelosuppression was the most frequent observed toxic effect. One patient showed an unexpected fatal bone marrow aplasia following the first course of 90 mg/m2. This study indicates that m-AMSA and m-AMSA lactate are active and moderately toxic in previously treated malignant lymphomas. Thus, amsacrines could be effectively incorporated into salvage polydrug regimens.

Amsacrine in refractory acute leukemia

Thirty-two patients with heavily pretreated, relapsed acute leukemia were treated with amsacrine (120 mg/m2/day X 5). The 32 patients received a total of 41 courses of therapy, and 31 patients were evaluable for response. There were no complete remissions and only one partial remission (3 months) in an adult patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Toxic effects included myelosuppression (100% of the patients), hyperbilirubinemia (41%), nausea and vomiting (41%), stomatitis (9%), and cardiac dysrhythmia (3%). We conclude that amsacrine as a single agent is not a useful treatment for relapsed, heavily pretreated adult and pediatric acute leukemia.

[Combination of AMSA-high dose cytosine arabinoside in acute leukemia]

Forty patients with refractory and/or relapsing acute leukaemia were treated with AMSA (90-120 mg/sq m/day) for 5 days combined with high dose cytosine-arabinoside (HDARAC) (3 g/sq m/12 hours) during the first 2 days. Complete remission was obtained in 46% of the 26 cases of acute myelogenous leukaemia, and the complete remission rate was fair (44%) in the 20 patients refractory to conventional induction treatments. The results were less satisfactory in the few patients with other cytological types: there were 2 complete remissions in 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and none in 4 patients with blast crisis of chronic myelocytic leukaemia. Haematological toxicity was severe, and 6 patients died during the aplastic phase. No cardiac toxicity associated with AMSA was observed, nor did the ocular, cutaneous or cerebellar side-effects described after longer courses of HDARAC develop. Complete remissions were relatively short, and 11 of 14 remitters relapsed after 2 to 11 months (median 4 months). However, 3 remitters underwent allogenic bone marrow transplantation with 2 surviving. Another patient has a prolonged fourth complete remission with AMSA + HDARAC maintenance treatment. It is concluded that the AMSA-HDARAC combination seems to be one of the best salvage induction regimens in acute myelogenous leukaemia.

Amsacrine (m-AMSA): a new antineoplastic agent. Pharmacology, clinical activity and toxicity

The synthetic aminoacridine derivative amsacrine (m-AMSA) is capable of preventing DNA from serving as a template in replication and DNA synthesis. This mechanism of action is similar to that of anthracyclines, but clinical evidence suggests the lack of cross-resistance. The recommended dosage in patients with solid tumors is 90-120 mg/m2 intravenously every 3-4 weeks. Despite the initial encouraging reports from experimental models, m-AMSA has shown no real impact in the treatment of patients with a wide variety of solid tumors. In relapsed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, 20-30% of patients will achieve complete remission. An increased remission rate is obtained when m-AMSA is combined with other agents, especially with high-dose cytosine arabinoside, with a complete remission rate of 50-60% in relapsed patients. Currently, several phase III trials are evaluating m-AMSA combinations against daunorubicin-containing regimens in patients with previously untreated acute leukemia. The potential role of these regimens in this disease remains to be defined.

Amsacrine and etoposide induced paralytic ileus in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia

A 73-year-old man with acute myelomonocytic leukemia developed a severe paralytic ileus after amsacrine and etoposide treatment. The ileus did not respond to treatment with gastric suction and intravenous fluids. Autonomic neuropathy induced by anti-neoplastic drugs may lead to this life-threatening condition.

Hypersensitivity reactions to amsacrine

Five cases of hypersensitivity reactions to amsacrine are reported. These five cases are compared to the three cases previously published. Sixty-two reports on the clinical use of amsacrine in a variety of solid tumors and hematological malignancy were reviewed. Nine cases of hypersensitivity were described in the 2095 patients reported in these clinical trials. The approximate incidence of hypersensitivity to amsacrine is 0.4%.

m-AMSA and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Twenty-eight patients with advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were treated with m-AMSA. Twenty-four patients (86%) were treated at 30 mg/M2/d X 3d q 21 d and four patients were treated at 40 mg/M2/d X 3d q 21 d intravenously. Eighty-eight courses of m-AMSA were administered with a median of 2 courses per patient. One (5%) complete response occurred in 19 patients evaluable for response. Toxicity was well tolerated and generally mild. m-AMSA may be relatively inactive in the treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma of the endometrium; further studies, however, are required to determine its effectiveness in primary previously untreated disease.

Phase II study of PALA, amsacrine, teniposide, and zinostatin in small cell lung carcinoma (EST 2579)

Eighty-two patients with small cell lung carcinoma refractory to standard chemotherapy were entered in this phase II randomized study of PALA, amsacrine, teniposide, and zinostatin. Of the 66 evaluable patients, one partial response occurred among 17 patients treated with teniposide and no responses occurred with the other drugs. Two patients each treated with amsacrine and teniposide experienced life-threatening hematologic toxic effects and one patient treated with zinostatin died of thrombocytopenic pulmonary hemorrhage. The overall median patient survival was 9.6 weeks. Weight loss greater than or equal to 5% prior to therapy, extensive disease, and a nonambulatory status were associated with poor survival.

Acute electrocardiographic changes induced by amsacrine

The ECG effect of amsacrine (m-AMSA) was evaluated in 12 consecutive patients with leukemia. m-AMSA induced a significant prolongation of the Q-T interval (msecs, mean +/- SE) before (448 +/- 13) and 1 hour after (512 +/- 12) treatment (P . 0.0001, paired t test), without concomitant changes in the P-R interval, QRS duration, and heart rate. This selective cardiotoxic effect appeared to be transient and was noted towards the end of the iv drug administration, but was not present 24 hours later. No cardiac arrhythmias were noted during continuous monitoring. Nevertheless, it is assumed that the prolongation of the Q-T interval may represent a state of increased vulnerability to rhythm disturbances. Special care should be taken to avoid factors that may prolong the Q-T interval (hypokalemia, ischemia, or premedication with phenothiazine) during the administration of m-AMSA.

High-dose amsacrine (AMSA) therapy of relapsed and refractory adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia A phase II study

Amsacrine (AMSA) has been shown to be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group studied the efficacy and toxicity of high-dose amsacrine (200 mg/m2/day for 5 days) in 38 adult patients with refractory and relapsed ANLL. The complete remission rate was low (8%). This dose level of amsacrine caused severe mucositis in 24% of patients and marked liver function abnormalities in 11%. Seizures did not occur, and two reversible cardiac events were not clearly attributable to amsacrine administration. Escalation of amsacrine beyond currently recommended total doses of 600-750 mg/m2 is unlikely to be of benefit.

[Combined therapy with AMSA and etoposide (VP 16-213) in refractory acute myeloid leukemia. A phase I study]

In a phase I study the combination of AMSA and etoposide was applied to 12 patients with intensively pretreated, refractory AML to evaluate the basis for a subsequent phase II study in terms of drug dosage and timing. Each treatment cycle consisted in a 5-day regimen of AMSA 210 mg/m2/d days 2, 3 and 4. Etoposide was administered on days 1 and 5 with a constant loading dose of 100 mg/m2 by an 1-h infusion followed by a 23-h infusion, the dose of which was escalated in 3 steps from 110 mg/m2 to 200 mg/m2 and 230 mg/m2. In 18 treatment cycles the recommended dosage for a subsequent phase II study was found to be 660 mg/m2 etoposide per cycle together with 630 mg/m2 AMSA per course. Main side effects were nausea and vomiting as well as mucositis; 1 patient developed a severe intrahepatic cholestasis. In 11 from 16 evaluable treatment cycles a significant reduction of bone marrow blasts was observed with a mean cytoreduction rate of 0,26 log10/d. 4 patients, 3 of whom were primarily resistent to 2 TAD induction courses, achieved a partial remission.

m-AMSA: phase II trial in advanced lymphoma and leukemia

m-AMSA, an acridine dye derivative, has been utilized in 36 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. In 22 patients with lymphoma receiving 120 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, 10(45%) have achieved remissions. Eight of these remissions have been partial. The median duration of remission in patients with lymphoma was 3 months (range 1-12+ months). In 11 patients with acute leukemia receiving m-AMSA, 40 mg/m2 t.i.d. for 5 days, three (27%) have achieved remissions. Two of the three remissions have been complete. All three remissions in patients with leukemia were sustained for 1 month. Two patients with myeloma and one patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia failed to respond. The major toxicity of m-AMSA has been myelosuppression. The dose-limiting toxic effect in patients with lymphoma was neutropenia. Nausea and vomiting, alopecia, phlebitis, and hepatic dysfunction have been noted in a minority of patients. Phlebitis appeared to be prevented with heparin administration after m-AMSA infusion. One fatal arrhythmia occurred, apparently related to therapy. m-AMSA appears active in advanced leukemia and lymphoma. Further studies are merited, particularly in combination with known effective agents, in order to improve upon remission duration.

Evaluation of AMSA in children with acute leukemia. A Pediatric Oncology Group study

One hundred four children with advanced leukemia in relapse (74 with acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL] and 30 with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia [ANLL]) received AMSA (4'-(9-Acridinylamino) methanesulfon -m-anisidide) at a dose of 120 mg/m2/day for 5 days (Regimen I) or 60 mg/m2/day for 10 days (Regimen II). Children with ALL were randomized between Regimens I and II (31 and 36 evaluable patients, respectively). All 29 evaluable patients with ANLL were treated on Regimen I. Eighty-eight percent of evaluable patients experienced severe or life-threatening toxicity, with no statistical differences between Regimens I and II. Bacterial or fungal infections (considered life-threatening or fatal) occurred in 17 children with ALL and in 7 with ANLL. Fatal cardiac toxicity occurred in one patient. Complete or partial response occurred in 25.0% (SE = 8.8%), 28.1% (SE = 8.0%), and 25.9% (SE = 8.4%) of evaluable patients on ALL Regimen I, ALL Regimen II, and ANLL, respectively. However, responses were of short duration (16-91 days). There was no significant difference in the duration of survival from treatment start for the two ALL regimens (P = 0.46). The median duration of survival for ANLL patients was significantly longer (P = 0.004) than that of ALL patients treated on Regimens I and II combined. Eighty-two percent of the complete or partial responses (18 of 22) occurred after the first course of AMSA. At the dose schedules investigated, and in a heavily pretreated patient population, AMSA had activity in childhood leukemia. However, the high incidence of severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections meant that the quality and quantity of responses and survival was not commensurate with the toxicity, and that it would be difficult to incorporate this drug into combination chemotherapy with other myelosuppressive agents.

Phase II study of Amsacrine in refractory lymphomas. A report of the EORTC early clinical trials group

Forty-three patients with advanced measurable lymphoma, progressive after conventional therapy, were entered into a phase II study of m-AMSA 90-120 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Five patients were ineligible and response could not be evaluated in four patients. For HD there were two partial responses (14%), lasting 6 and 41 weeks, in 14 evaluable patients. Among 20 evaluable patients with NHDL three (15%) achieved partial remission, but duration of response could not be evaluated. One patient with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma died of infection at 4 weeks, a second with lymphoblastic lymphoma was given high-dose steroids commencing at 6 weeks, and the third patient with nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma refused further treatment after one course. Leucopenia was more marked in patients with NHDL (WBC nadir X 10(9)/l, median 2.2, range 0.2-4.3) than in HD (WBC nadir X 10(9)/l, median 2.8, range 0.85-7.2), as was thrombocytopenia. There was one toxic death and one life-threatening infection, both secondary to myelosuppression. Non-haematological toxicity was mild. m-AMSA has marginal activity in previously treated lymphomas and causes considerable myelosuppression.

The treatment of melanoma with m-AMSA A Cancer and Leukemia Group B phase II study

The activity of m-AMSA was evaluated IN 39 patients with advanced malignant melanoma. Seventy-nine percent of the patients had some prior chemotherapy. The others had some combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy prior to this study. Patients were treated every 3 weeks starting with 60 or 120 mg/m2 of m-AMSA depending on the extent of prior treatment. Doses were escalated if nadir WBC counts were greater than 2500/microliter. Leukopenia was the dose-limiting toxicity with 7.5% of patients having nadir WBC counts less than 1000/microliter. Of the 39 patients evaluable for response, all had progressive disease. In this study, m-AMSA in myelosuppressive doses was not active in malignant melanoma.

High-dose cytosine arabinoside and m-AMSA is effective therapy in relapsed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia

High-dose cytosine arabinoside ( HDARAC ) and 4'-(9 acridinylamino) methane sulfon -m-anisidine (m-AMSA) was administered as induction therapy to 40 patients with relapsed or refractory acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) with the following results: 28 patients (70%) achieved complete remission, one patient achieved a partial remission; five patients died with hypoplastic bone marrows containing less than 5% blasts; four patients died with hypoplastic marrowing containing greater than 5% blasts; and three patients failed to achieve marrow aplasia and died without significant cytoreduction in percentage of blasts. Consolidation therapy was not used and maintenance therapy was given to less than 10% (three patients) of remission patients. The median duration of remission for all patients was 6.0 months and the median time for the complete remission patients exceeded eight months. This regimen has acceptable toxicity and the results are equivalent to those obtained from conventional induction therapy of de novo ANLL patients.

Neocarzinostatin versus m-AMSA or doxorubicin in hepatocellular carcinoma

Sixty-one of 76 patients entered on a prospective randomized trial of neocarzinostatin ( NCZ ) versus m-AMSA or doxorubicin were eligible for analysis. Among these 61 patients at least one episode of severe toxicity was documented in 39% of patients on NCZ and 58% on m-AMSA. Fifty-one of the 61 patients were previously untreated with chemotherapy. Among these 51 patients objective response was documented in two of 25 patients treated with NCZ , none of 17 treated with m-AMSA, and one of nine treated with doxorubicin. Among previously untreated North American and European (NA/E) patients the median survival times were: NCZ 11 weeks and m-AMSA 12 weeks. The data on South African (SA) patients with similar entrance criteria entered on earlier Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trials were analyzed with that from the randomized trial and show that for SA patients the median survival times were: NCZ , 11 weeks (31 patients); m-AMSA, 13 weeks (33 patients); and doxorubicin, 15 weeks (29 patients).

Acridinyl anisidide (m-AMSA) therapy in 11 patients with refractory acute leukemia

Eleven patients with acute leukemia, refractory to all previous chemotherapy, were treated with acridinyl anisidide (m-AMSA). Seven patients received m-AMSA i.v. as a single agent at 150 mg/m2 daily for 4 to 7 days, and 4 patients received m-AMSA at 90 mg/m2 daily for 3 days in combination with thioguanine and cytosine arabinoside. Four of the nine patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia responded to the treatment, and complete remission was obtained in three of them. One of these patients remained in complete remission 5 months after therapy. Three of the four responding patients received m-AMSA as a single agent. Two patients with resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia did not respond. As in earlier trials with m-AMSA reported by others, about one-third of our refractory patients responded, which justifies the future use of this agent in refractory leukemia and in other regimens for the induction of remission in acute leukemia. Despite minimal cardiotoxicity of the drug, evidence of its cardiotoxic potential is recorded.

AMSA: a phase II trial in resistant and recurrent acute myelogenous leukemia

27 patients with resistant acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were treated with AMSA. Three achieved a complete remission, and two a partial remission. Median survival for all patients was 12 weeks and was 16 weeks for responders.

Amsacrine cardiotoxicity: assessment of ventricular function by radionuclide angiography

Serial assessment of ventricular function by means of a nuclear medicine technique was performed in six patients with malignant disease receiving chemotherapy with amsacrine. Two patients who received treatment long enough so that greater than 580 mg/m2 of the drug was administered showed a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction. Four patients who received total doses of 325-510 mg/m2 of amsacrine did not experience significant change in their cardiac function.

Amsacrine in refractory adult acute leukemia: a pilot study of the Southeastern Cancer Study Group

A phase II pilot study of amsacrine in refractory adult acute leukemia was conducted by the Southeastern Cancer Study Group from May 1979 to August 1980. Amsacrine, 90 mg/m2, was given daily for 5-8 days to 45 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia, 15 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and six patients with blastic transformation of chronic granulocytic leukemia. Of the 66 patients entered in the study, 59 (89%) were evaluable for response. Complete remissions were observed in eight of 41 evaluable patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia (20%) and in three of 12 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (25%). Remissions were short-lived (median, 7.9 weeks; range, 2-27). Toxic effects included the expected myelosuppression (100%), as well as moderate to severe stomatitis (46%), hyperbilirubinemia (30%), and supraventricular tachycardia (1.5%). This cooperative group pilot study confirms previous reports from single institutions that amsacrine is a useful drug in the treatment of refractory adult acute leukemia and is worthy of further study.