germanium and Neoplasm-Metastasis

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Evaluation; Germanium; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organometallic Compounds; Prostatic Neoplasms; Spiro Compounds

A phase II study of spirogermanium was conducted in a series of 15 patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma. All the patients have previously received multiple hormonal therapies. The drug was administered at the dose of 200 mg/m2 by a continuous infusion for five days, and 120 mg/m2, three times a week subsequently. The side effects were mainly neurological toxicity and phlebitis at the injection points which were dose and schedule dependent. Only one partial response for two months was noted in this series. Thus, spirogermanium seems to have a limited value in patients with prostatic cancer.

Topics: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Evaluation; Germanium; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organometallic Compounds; Prostatic Neoplasms; Spiro Compounds

Effects of the organogermanium compound Ge-132 (i.p.) were examined on the 3LL local tumor (1 X 10(5)/mouse, s.c.) and its pulmonary metastases in B6 mice. A characteristic feature of its action was the preferential antimetastatic effect under strictly defined conditions. Either inhibition or facilitation was observed depending on the treatment schedules; 7 daily doses of 100 mg/kg yielded the inhibition ratio 49% when started from day 1, whereas the treatment from day 8 resulted in the ratio -99%. The maximum inhibition was obtained at 100 mg/kg. The postsurgical-adjuvant treatment with Ge-132 was of no beneficial effect. The local tumor growth was affected only marginally and temporarily. When inoculum size was minimized (1 X 10(4)), a single dose of 300 mg/kg on day 1, but not on day 8, was effective in prolonging the latency before tumor take. The antitumor action of Ge-132 was discussed with reference to its interferon (IFN)-inducing activity.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Germanium; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neoplasms, Experimental; Organometallic Compounds; Propionates

The National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group conducted a phase II study of spirogermanium given daily for 5 days every 3 weeks to previously untreated patients with malignant melanoma. In 21 evaluable patients one complete response was seen (response rate 5%). Disease progression occurred in the other 20 patients. Toxicity was primarily neurologic and mild or moderate in most patients, though there was one treatment related death. In this schedule spirogermanium has extremely limited activity against malignant melanoma and will not contribute significantly to the systemic therapy of this disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Drug Evaluation; Female; Germanium; Humans; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organometallic Compounds; Spiro Compounds

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Drug Evaluation; Female; Germanium; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Organometallic Compounds; Receptors, Estrogen; Spiro Compounds