A phase II study of intravenously- administered methyl CCNU in the treatment of advanced sarcomas

Thirty-two patients with advanced, inoperable nonhematologic soft-tissue and osseous sarcomas were treated with Methyl CCNU administered via controlled intravenous infusion in doses of 130-170 mg/m2 every 6 weeks in a Phase II trial. All 28 evaluable patients were no longer responsive to adriamycin. Greater than 50% tumor regression was seen in one of two patients with chondrosarcoma and one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma. Less than 50% tumor regression occurred in one of five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, one of two patients with malignant giant cell tumor, and one of three patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Stabilization of previously advancing disease occurred in two of seven patients with leiomyosarcoma. The drug preparation was well tolerated. Nausea and vomiting occurring in three of 32 patients. Major toxicity was myelosuppression, characterized chiefly by thrombocytopenia with lesser degrees of leukopenia. This drug preparation appears to have activity in this group of tumors.