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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Ex vivo Expansion of Tumor-reactive T Cells by Means of Bryostatin 1/Ionomycin and the Common Gamma Chain Cytokines Formulation
Published on: January 14, 2011
Phase II studies of bryostatin-1 in patients with advanced sarcoma and advanced head and neck cancer
B Brockstein1, B Samuels, R Humerickhouse
1University of Chicago Hospitals, Section of Hematology/Oncology, IL, USA. b-brockstein@nwu.edu
Background:
Bryostatin 1 is a marine derived macrolactone with antineoplastic activity modulated through protein kinase C, and with good activity in in vitro and in vivo models. There are few drugs that offer palliation for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer, and drugs with new mechanisms of action warrant detailed disease specific study.
Patients And Methods:
Two phase II studies for patients with incurable soft tissue sarcoma (12), or head and neck cancer (12) were conducted. Patients were treated with bryostatin, 120 mg/m2/72 hours every 2 weeks for 3 cycles prior to re-evaluation. Most patients had received prior chemotherapy.
Results:
No patients had objective responses to therapy. Six patients had brief periods of disease stabilization. Toxicity was generally mild, with myalgia being prominent (n=8). Hyponatremia, not previously described, occurred in 5 patients. The mechanism of this toxicity was unclear.
Conclusions:
Bryosytatin 1 given as a single agent for advanced adult soft tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer is inactive. Myalgia and hyponatremia were the predominant toxicities.
Insights
Bryostatin 1 showed no effectiveness as a single agent for advanced soft tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer. The study noted myalgia and hyponatremia as primary toxicities in patients undergoing this cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bryostatin 1, a marine-derived macrolactone, exhibits antineoplastic properties via protein kinase C modulation.
- Effective palliative options for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer are limited.
- Novel therapeutic mechanisms warrant investigation in specific cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bryostatin 1 as a single agent in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer.
Main Methods:
- Two Phase II studies were conducted involving patients with incurable soft tissue sarcoma or head and neck cancer.
- Patients received bryostatin 1 at 120 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 3 cycles.
- The majority of participants had prior chemotherapy exposure.
Main Results:
- No objective responses to bryostatin 1 therapy were observed.
- Six patients experienced temporary disease stabilization.
- Predominant toxicities included myalgia and a previously undescribed hyponatremia in five patients.
Conclusions:
- Bryostatin 1 demonstrated inactivity as a single agent for advanced soft tissue sarcoma and head and neck cancer.
- Myalgia and hyponatremia were the main adverse events identified.
- Further research into bryostatin 1's mechanism and toxicity profile is needed.
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