[Phase I study of a new anticancer agent CAM--results of cooperative study]

CAM is a derivative compound of mycophenolic acid produced by Penicillium brevicompactum, and is a new oral Purine antagonistic anticancer agent. The Phase I study was carried out cooperatively in ten hospitals. The results are as follows: The administration method was single administration and the starting dose was 200 mg/m2 (1n). The dose level was escalated according to varied Fibonacci formula. The number of total cases was thirty-one: three cases at 1n level, four at 2n, six at 3.3n, six at 7n and seven at 9n. Side effects were observed in five of thirteen cases over 7n dose levels, such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia and diarrhea. Leukopenia was developed in only one case at 7n dose level. Other side effects such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and disturbances of liver function and renal function were not observed. It was estimated from above results that a dose limiting factor of CAM is nausea and vomiting. A subtoxic dose was 7n (1,400 mg/m2) and a maximum tolerated dose was 9n (1,800 mg/m2) which corresponded to 2,200-3,000 mg as a single administration.