Vindesine in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma: a phase II study

Vindesine, a new vinca alkaloid, has shown therapeutic activity in several human malignancies. A phase II study in 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was performed. Sixty percent of these patients had received prior chemotherapy. The starting dose was 3.0 mg/m2, which was escalated by 0.5 mg/m2 to a maximum of 4.5 mg/m2. Treatment was given once weekly for 7 weeks and every other week thereafter. Twenty-three patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. One complete remission (3 months), three partial remissions (5, 4, and 2+ months), and two minor responses (1.5 and 1 month) were seen. The major toxic effects were peripheral neuropathy, leukopenia, fever and myalgias, and alopecia. There was one drug-related death from leukopenia and sepsis. Vindesine has demonstrated therapeutic activity in esophageal carcinoma. Further studies with this agent are indicated.