[Phase II study on MCNU in patients with advanced or recurrent gastrointestinal cancer]

A phase II study on MCNU (Methyl 6-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-6-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) was performed in 33 patients with advanced or recurrent gastrointestinal cancer under the cooperation of eight institutions in Hiroshima Prefecture. MCNU was given by means of intravenous drip infusion and the 33 cases were divided into three groups according to the method of administration; (A) 50mg/m2 every 1 or 2 weeks, (B) 70mg/m2 every 2 weeks or (C) 90mg/m2 every 6-8 weeks. Among 28 evaluable cases, 1 complete response (CR) and 1 partial response (PR) were observed and these two cases were gastric cancer patients. Platelet nadir occurred at the 3rd or fifth week after MCNU administration, but the leukocyte count was not so decreased. Subjective side effects were nausea, general fatigue and vomiting, but these were observed to be only mild.