alanosine and Neoplasm-Metastasis

One hundred and forty-four evaluable patients with recurrent or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were treated with vinblastine infusion (n = 35), L-alanosine (n = 36), acivicin (n = 27), or aminothiadiazole (n = 46). Observed objective response rates of 9%, 3%, 4%, and 2%, respectively indicate that noe of these agents has significant antineoplastic activity in recurrent or metastatic RCC. Multivariate analysis of survival data suggests that initial performance status, time from initial diagnosis to study entry, and the presence or absence of lung metastases are important prognostic factors for survival. After adjustment for these factors, treatment assignment was also seen to be of prognostic value. All four treatments were generally well tolerated. There were no reports of life-threatening or lethal toxicities; however, 37% of the patients experienced severe reactions to treatment, primarily myelosuppression, anemia, neuropathies, and mucositis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alanine; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Isoxazoles; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Oxazoles; Thiadiazoles; Vinblastine

The authors conducted a phase II study of L-alanosine in 39 patients (19 without prior chemotherapy) in advanced malignant melanoma. The intravenous dose was 250 mg/m2/days 1-3 repeated at 3-week intervals. There were two objective regressions (5%) in conjunction with generally transient and tolerable hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity. L-alanosine as used in our study has limited activity against malignant melanoma.

Topics: Alanine; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Skin Neoplasms