A randomized study of continuous infusion vindesine versus vinblastine in adults with refractory metastatic sarcomas

A randomized study was conducted in 33 adult patients with refractory metastatic sarcomas to compare the therapeutic efficacy of continuous vindesine versus continuous vinblastine. Of 30 evaluable patients, 15 patients received vindesine as a continuous 5-day infusion at 1.2 mg/m2 repeated every 3 weeks, and 15 patients received vinblastine at 1.5 mg/m2/day every 3 weeks. Ten patients had stable disease, while 20 patients showed progressive disease. No objective responses were observed. There was adequate myelosuppression and both drugs were well tolerated with few catheter-related problems. It does not appear that vindesine or vinblastine, given by continuous 5-day infusion, is active in the treatment of metastatic sarcomas in adults.