merbarone and Adenocarcinoma

Merbarone, a nonsedating derivative of thiobarbituric acid that has demonstrated antineoplastic activity against a variety of murine tumors, was evaluated in a phase II trial in patients with advanced, measurable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Seventeen patients were treated at a starting dose of 1000 mg/m2/day for 5 days by continuous intravenous infusion; the dose was escalated in accordance with the toxicity experienced, and no dosage reductions owing to toxicity were required. No complete or partial responses were observed, and only one minor response was documented, suggesting that merbarone is ineffective against pancreatic cancer at the doses and schedule in which it was administered in this trial.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Thiobarbiturates; Vomiting

Twenty-nine patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with merbarone, utilizing a daily intravenous schedule for 5 days. Only two partial responses of short duration were observed. The major toxicities were renal, with an increase in creatinine or proteinuria in 17 patients, and mild to moderate nausea and vomiting seen in 22 patients. Merbarone in this dose and schedule has minimal activity in pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Remission Induction; Thiobarbiturates