Clinical evaluation of Asaley

Asaley is an L-leucine derivative of sarcolysin which is more active against some rodent tumors. Studies in the USSR demonstrated activity in patients with ovarian and breast carcinoma, Hodgkin's disease, and multiple myeloma. This study in 73 evaluable patients indicated that an appropriate oral dose for patients with adequate bone marrow is 800 mg/M2/day X 4 days at 5-6 week intervals. The most common toxicities were myelosuppression, nausea, and vomiting. Antitumor activity was observed in 2 of 24 evaluable patients with melanoma, and stabilization of previously progressive disease was observed in patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, breast carcinoma, and thyroid carcinoma. Responses were minimal and of short duration but most of the patients had received extensive prior therapy.