Phase I Study of Difluoromethylornithine in Combination with Recombinant α2a-Interferon1

John H. Edmonson, John S. Kovach, Jan C. Buckner, Larry K. Kvols, Richard G. Hahn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

24 patients with advanced, histologically proven cancer were treated with difluoromethylornithine 2.25 g/m2orally every 6 h for the first 7 days of each 4-week treatment cycle. These patients also received daily i.m. doses of recombinant human a2a-interferon (IFN) on Days 3 through 7 of each cycle. IFN doses of 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 x 106 units/m2have been studied utilizing three patients at each daily dose level. Three additional patients have been observed at each of the two highest doses for better toxicity definition. This combination produced slight transient declines in leukocyte and platelet counts and transient rises in serum aspartate aminotransferase; however, these changes were no more pronounced at the higher IFN doses than at daily doses of 6 x 106units/m2. Mild nausea and vomiting occurred in most patients and mild diarrhea also was common at all IFN dose levels. Chills, fever, myalgia, lethargy and fatigue, and anorexia were also observed at all IFN doses; however, lethargy and fatigue (lassitude) seemed to be the major factor which limited patient tolerance of IFN to 48 x 106units/m2 daily. No ototoxicity was identified clinically or audiometrically and no life-threatening toxicity has occurred. Initial Phase II studies in melanoma are currently in progress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6584-6586
Number of pages3
JournalCancer research
Volume48
Issue number22
StatePublished - Nov 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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