Phase II trial of aclacinomycin A in acute leukemia and various solid tumors

Aclacinomycin A (ACM) is a new anthracycline antibiotic with a reduced cardiac toxicity in animal models. A phase II study was performed in a total of 25 patients, 23 of whom are evaluable for response. All suffered from recurrent and advanced tumors. Pretreatment consisted of at least four different chemotherapeutic agents (range: 4-9). Lung cancer patients (3/9) were irradiated to the mediastinum. Eighteen patients were pretreated with doxo- or daunomycin. The dose for solid tumors was 2-3 mg/kg given on 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Leukemia patients received a daily dose of 20 mg/m2, and standard response criteria were used. Marked reductions of leukocyte counts were achieved in leukemia patients. The overall response rate was about 15% in solid tumors, but major objective responses (CR + PR) have not been observed. Myelosuppression was commonly moderate in solid tumor patients, nausea and vomiting were rare, and alopecia was not induced. Cumulative cardiotoxicity was not evaluated in this trial. Treatment with ACM requires further investigation in acute leukemias and solid tumors, not pretreated with anthracycline antibiotics.