A phase II trial of peplomycin in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

A phase II trial has been performed in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung using peplomycin. This compound is a bleomycin analogue with less pulmonary toxicity and a broader antitumor effect than bleomycin in experimental animal systems. Twenty-one evaluable patients were treated using a dose schedule of 5 mg/m2 twice weekly intravenously. None of the patients had previously received radiation or chemotherapy. The median dose of peplomycin received was 160 mg (range 45-254). One patient obtained a partial remission lasting 3 months. One out of 21 patients developed clinical symptoms and a decrease in the lung function test performed during treatment indicative of toxicity. Other manifestations of toxicity are comparable to those of bleomycin.