Phase II trial of mitoxantrone in advanced gastric cancer

A Phase II trial of mitoxantrone was performed in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach. All patients had measurable or evaluable disease, and none had received prior chemotherapy. Mitoxantrone was administered intravenously at a dose of 14 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. The major toxicity seen was myelosuppression. The drug was, in general, well tolerated. No major objective responses were seen. We conclude that mitoxantrone has less than 20% activity in this patient population. No further studies are planned.