[Phase II study of THP patients with gastrointestinal cancer]

A phase II study on THP((2''R)-4'-0-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin) was performed in 47 patients with advanced or recurrent gastrointestinal cancer through the cooperation of nine institutions in Hiroshima Prefecture from April 1982 to November 1984. THP was given by means of intravenous infusion and/or intraaortic infusion and the 47 cases were divided into two groups according to the method of administration: (A) 40-60 mg/body every 3 or 4 weeks, or (B) 30 mg/body every week. Among 24 evaluable cases, partial response (PR) was observed in two cases of recurrent metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer patients. The (A) method of administration was more effective than (B). Subjective side effects observed were appetite loss, nausea, vomiting and general fatigue, but these were not so severe. Leukocyte nadir occurred at the 1st or 2nd week of THP administration, but thrombocytes were not appreciably decreased.