Mitomycin-C in the therapy of far-advanced malignant tumors

✍ Scribed by Leon H. Manheimer; Jose Vital

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1966
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 567 KB
• Volume: 19
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(196602)19:2<207::aid-cncr2820190211>3.0.co;2-6

✦ Synopsis

Forty-six patients with far-advanced malignancies, primarily of epithelial origin, were treated with intravenously administered mitomycin-C over a 4-year period. Several patients received more than one course of therapy. Thirty per cent of the patients demonstrated a transient, objective remission as evidenced by regression or disappearance of tumor masses. A significant remission of 7 and 15 months was observed in 2 patients. Dosages of 100 p/per kg daily or 125 CL/per kg semiweekly were selected as effective and relatively nontoxic. No irreversible toxic effects were encountered. These pertinent studies have produced sufficient degree of confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the drug as to warrant a more extensive exploration of its usefulness in the field of cancer chemotherapy.

ITOMYCIN-C', A N ANTIIIIOLIC DI R l V t D FROhl

M a group of fungi known as Streptomyces caespitosus,g has been suggested as an effective antitumor agent both in animal and clinical 3, 5 , s 7 % 1 1 This drug was studied initially in Japan and was found most effective against a variety of carcinomas. When it was introduced into the U.S.A. approximately 6 years ago, it was studied extensively in 3 cent e r ~. ~ Because the dosage schedule was not adequately controlled, however, numerous severe toxic manifestations were encountered. In fact, the toxicity of the drug was thought to be so severe that its use was judged unwise.

Approximately 4 years ago a study was initiated at Mt. Sinai Hospital of Greater Miami to determine a safe dosage of mitomycin-C.