Initial clinical studies with bruceantin

A phase I clinical study of bruceantin was conducted in 66 patients with various types of advanced solid tumors to evaluate its toxicity and efficacy. The initial dose of 0.2 mg/m2/day x 5 days repeated at 2-week intervals was progressively increased to a maximum dose of 4.5 mg/m2/day. Hypotension was the dose-limiting toxic effect; it was delayed, cumulative, and occurred more often in patients with abnormal pretreatment liver function. Nausea, vomiting, and fever were common at higher doses, and diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, paresthesia, and rash were observed in some patients. The hematologic toxicity of bruceantin was moderate at high doses and was manifested mainly as thrombocytopenia; it was more severe in patients with abnormal hepatic and renal functions. No objective tumor regressions were observed. The recommended dose of bruceantin is 3.5 mg/m2/day x 5 days for phase II studies.