Chromomycin A3 for advanced breast cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group study

Chromomycin A3 was administered iv to 26 patients in a phase I trial. The maximum tolerated dose established in this study was 0.75 mg/m2/day iv X 5 days. The drug was then given to 48 evaluable patients with far-advanced disseminated breast cancer. Two short partial remissions and one clinical improvement were seen. Toxic manifestations consisted of frequent and usually reversible renal toxicity, nausea and vomiting, occasional thrombocytopenia, hypocalcemia, and two instances of semicoma. Drug toxicity may have contributed to the death of two patients.