Phase II Trial of Pre-irradiation KRN8602 (MX2) in Malignant Glioma Patients

KRN8602 (MX2) is a newly developed morpholino anthracycline that crosses the blood–brain barrier where it becomes distributed in brain tissue after intravenous administration. This morpholino anthracycline has been found to be effective against human glioma cells and the intracerebrally transplanted tumors in vivo.We performed a phase II trial using KRN8602 as a single agent in malignant glioma patients who had not received prior adjuvant therapy.The 13 patients (5 glioblastomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and 1 malignant oligodendroglioma) enrolled received at least 1 cycle of KRN8602 at 35mg/m²/day in 3–4 week intervals by intravenous bolus. Ten of these patients could be evaluated for response, and 13 for toxicity. Three patients (1 glioblastoma and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas) demonstrated a complete response (3/10, 30%).Concerning side effects, myelosuppression was moderately severe, with 30.7% of patients developing grade 3 leukopenia. Severe nausea/vomiting was observed in 69% of the patients, however, cardiotoxicity was not observed.The results indicate that KRN8602 demonstrated modest activity against malignant glioma with relatively severe, but manageable toxicity. Further assessment of the efficacy and toxicity of KRN86O2 against malignant glioma may be worthwhile.     

MX2; 3'-deamino-3'-morpholino-13-deoxy-10-hydroxycarminomycin (KRN8602) in Refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results of a Preliminary Phase II Trial

We performed a preliminary phase II clinical trial of MX2; 3'-deamino-3'-morpholino-13-deoxy-10-hydroxycarminomycin (KRN8602) in patients with metastaticbreast cancer who had failed to respond to previous chemotherapeuticregimens after clinical evidence of systemic disease. Twelvepatients at a single institute received KRN8602 at a dose of35 mg/m2 intravenously once every three weeks. All the patientswere folio wed-up until their disease progressed. There wasone complete response lasting 17 weeks and one partial responselasting eight weeks. Among the 12 patients, World Health Organization(WHO) grades 3 and 4 neutropenia were observed in five and twopatients, respectively. Grade 3 anemia was observed in threepatients but severe thrombocytopenia was not observed. Grade3 nausea/vomiting was observed in eight patients. Alopecia wasnot observed. The results of this preliminary phase II trialsuggest a need for further testing of the anti-tumor activityof KRN8602 in patients with metastatic breast cancer.     

Intrathecal Chemotherapy with MX2 for Treating Glioma Dissemination in vivo

We examined whether the intrathecal MX2 chemotherapy for treating dissemination of malignant glioma would be a feasible therapy. In the toxicity study, physiological and histological neurotoxicity was not observed in the rats treated with less than 100g/kg of MX2 administered intracisternally. But physiological side effects were observed in the treatment group of more than 200g/kg and histological brain toxicity was in the treatment group of more than 1000g/kg. Dissemination models were induced in rats by intracisternal inoculation of C6 glioma cells. The median survival times of the rats treated with 100g/kg of intrathecal MX2 on day 1, 3, or 7 after tumor inoculation were prolonged by 52.4% (p=0.0006), 31.5% (p=0.0007), and 7.1% (p=0.0180), respectively, compared to that of untreated control animals. Intrathecal MX2 treatment also cured 33.6% of rats in the treatment group. These findings suggested that there was a possibility that intrathecal MX2 would be a safe and effective method for treating dissemination of malignant glioma.     

Second Line Chemotherapy with Docetaxel in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma: A Phase II Study

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of docetaxel in recurrent supratentorial malignant gliomas. The sample size of the study was determined by the Gehan's method for a response rate of 20% and a error of 5%. In the first step 14 patients (age 27–69, median 50; Karnofsky index 50–90, median 75) with recurrent malignant glioma after surgery, radiotherapy and nitrosourea, were enrolled (12 glioblastomas, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas). Docetaxel at the initial dose of 80mg/m² was administered every 3 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 41 cycles was administered. Patients received a median of two cycles (range 1–6). No complete or partial response was observed. Therefore, according to the design of the study, no additional patients were enrolled and the trial was terminated. Two stabilizations were observed (14 and 15 weeks). Median TTP was 7 weeks (44 days). Median overall survival from recurrence was 26.5 weeks (6.4 months). Grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 8 patients (57%) but no life-threatening toxicity was observed. Other toxicities were uncommon and mild. Dose reduction was performed in 5 patients. This study suggests that docetaxel displayed no significant activity in patients with malignant recurrent gliomas.     

Intra-arterial Cisplatin Plus Oral Etoposide for the Treatment of Recurrent Malignant Glioma: A Phase II Study

Twenty-five adults with recurrent malignant glioma were enrolled into a phase II clinical study. All patients had undergone surgical resection and had failed radiotherapy and first-line treatment with nitrosourea-based chemotherapy; five had failed second-line chemotherapy. Our objective was to test the efficacy of combining intra-arterially (IA) infused cisplatin and oral etoposide. Using conventional angiographic technique to access anterior/posterior cerebral circulation, cisplatin 60mg/m² was administered by IA infusion on day 1 of treatment. Oral etoposide 50mg/m²/day was given days 1–21, with a 7day rest interval between courses. Response to treatment was evaluated in 20 patients. Two patients with anaplastic astrocytoma had partial responses (PR) and six patients experienced stable disease (SD) for an overall response rate (PR + SD) of 40%. The median time to disease progression (MTP) following treatment for the responder subgroup was 18weeks. The median survival time from treatment (MST) for the responders (n=8) and non-responders (n=12) was 56.5weeks and 11weeks, respectively. Combined IA cisplatin and oral etoposide was well-tolerated, but produced an objective response in only a minority of patients. Those considered responders (PR + SD) experienced significant survival advantage when compared to the non-responders. Nonetheless, IA delivery of chemotherapy is an expensive and technologically burdensome treatment for most patients to access, requiring proximity to a major center with neuro-oncological and neuroradiological clinical services. This is of special concern for patients suffering recurrent disease with progressive neurological symptoms at a time in their course when quality of life must be safeguarded and palliation of symptoms should be the therapeutic goal. Despite the efforts of previous investigators to use this combination of agents to treat recurrent malignant glioma, we cannot recommend the use of IA chemotherapy for salvage treatment of thisbreak disease.     

Interstitial Docetaxel (Taxotere), Carmustine and Combined Interstitial Therapy: a Novel Treatment for Experimental Malignant Glioma

Docetaxel (Taxotere) is a hemisynthetic, anti-cancer compound with good preclinical and clinical activity in a variety of systemic neoplasms. We tested its activity against malignant gliomas using local delivery methods. Antitumor activity was assessed in vitro against human (U87 and U80 glioma) and rat brain-tumor (9L gliosarcoma and F98 glioma) cell lines. For in vivo evaluation, we incorporated docetaxel into a biodegradable polymer matrix, determined associated toxicity in the rat brain, and measured efficacy at extending survival in a rat model of malignant glioma. Also, we examined the combined local delivery of docetaxel with carmustine (BCNU) against the experimental intracranial glioma. Rats bearing intracranial 9L gliosarcomas were treated 5 days after tumor implantation with various polymers (placebo, 5% docetaxel, 3.8% BCNU, or 5% docetaxel and 3.8% BCNU combination). Animals receiving docetaxel polymers (n = 15, median survival 39.1 days) had significantly improved survival over control animals (n = 12, median survival 22.5 days, P = 0.01). Similarly, animals receiving BCNU polymers (n = 15, median survival 39.3 days, 13.3% long-term survivors) demonstrated an increase in survival compared to the controls (P = 0.04). Animals receiving the combination polymers demonstrated a modest increase in survival compared to either chemotherapeutic agent alone (n = 14, median survival 54.9 days, 28.6% long-term survivors) with markedly improved survival over controls (P = 0.003). We conclude that locally delivered docetaxel shows promise as a novel anti-glioma therapy and that the combination of drug regimens via biodegradable polymers may be a great therapeutic benefit to patients with malignant glioma.     

Phase II Study of Weekly Dose-intensified Cisplatin Chemotherapy with Oral Etoposide in Recurrent Glioma

Background. In most patients with recurrent glioma chemotherapy is the only remaining treatment option. In general results of chemotherapy in these patients are poor, and trials on new regimens are indicated. Because relatively good results have been achieved with combinations of platin compounds and etoposide, we investigated a dose-intensified cisplatin regimen with oral etoposide.Methods. Eligible patients, with recurrent glioma after surgery and radiation therapy were treated with two four week-cycles with cisplatin 70 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15, combined with oral etoposide 50 mg daily on days 1–15. In responding or stabilized patients, treatment was continued with six four week-cycles of oral etoposide 50 mg/m² on days 1–21. Toxicity was assessed using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, a 50% decrease in contrast enhancing area on MRI scan was considered a partial response. Time to progression was measured from the start of chemotherapy.Results. Sixteen patients were included, 11 were progressive during or immediately after the induction cycles. Two patients achieved a partial response with a time to progression of 42 and 58 weeks. Three patients were stable for 11, 14 and 15 weeks respectively. Toxicity was modest.Discussion. This dose-intensified cisplatin regimen did not result in a significant number of objective responses and even the number of stable disease was small. Given the low response rate of this intensive treatment, we consider this intensive regimen inappropriate for these patients.     

A Randomized Phase II and Pharmacokinetic Study of Dacarbazine in Patients with Recurrent Glioma

We conducted a randomized phase II study to determine the efficacy of dacarbazine (DTIC) in recurrent gliomas. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either DTIC 750mg/m²IV day 1 every 28 days (Arm A) or DTIC 200mg/m²IV days 1–5 every 28 days (Arm B). Pharmacokinetics were studied in 6 patients on each arm using HPLC analysis. Thirty-nine patients (30 male, 9 female), ages 27–67 years (median 53) were entered on the study (20 on Arm A, 19 on Arm B). No objective responses were seen. Median time to progression was 3 months. Median survival was 8 months. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Major toxicities were grade 1–2 nausea (33%), lethargy (28%), diarrhea (15%), alopecia (15%), and grade 3 neutropenia (8%). Four patients on Arm A had mild self-limited episodes of intravascular hemolysis occurring immediately after drug infusion, the mechanism of which is unknown. Mean AUC for DTIC, HMMTIC (5-[3-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-1-triazeno] imidazole-4-carboxamide), and MTIC (5-[3-methyl-1-triazeno] imidazole-4-carboxamide), in Arm A were 14.8, 0.17, and 1.15mMmin, respectively. Corresponding values for Arm B (on day 1 of 5) were 1.7, 0.06, and 0.29mMmin, respectively. The predicted HMMTIC and MTIC exposure over 5 days for Arm B, based on the day 1 data, is higher than with Arm A. We conclude that DTIC is well tolerated but does not have activity in patients with recurrent gliomas. The 5-day schedule appears less toxic, and pharmacokinetic studies show that it provides greater exposure to MTIC and HMMTIC compared to the one-day schedule.     

Safety, Tolerability, and Tumor Response of IL4-Pseudomonas Exotoxin (NBI-3001) in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma

Purpose: This was an open-label, dose-escalation trial of intratumoral administration of IL-4 Pseudomonas exotoxin (NBI-3001) in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Patients and methods: A total of 31 patients with histologically verified supratentorial grades 3 and 4 astrocytoma were studied. Of these, 25 patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) while six were diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma. Patients were over 18 years of age and had Karnofsky performance scores 60. Patients were assigned to one of four dose groups in a dose-escalation fashion: 6µg/ml×40ml,9µg/ml×40ml,15µg/ml×40ml, or 9µug/ml×100ml of NBI-3001 administered via convection-enhanced delivery intratumorally using stereotactically placed catheters. Patients were followed with serial MRI scans and clinical assessments every four weeks for the first 16 weeks and then every eight weeks until week 26. Results: No drug-related systemic toxicity, as evident by lack of hematological or serum chemical changes, was apparent in any patients; treatment-related adverse effects were limited to the central nervous system. No deaths were attributable to treatment. Drug-related grade 3 or 4 toxicity was seen in 39% of patients in all dose groups and 22% of patients at the maximum tolerated dose of 6µug/ml×40ml. The overall median survival was 8.2 months with a median survival of 5.8 months for the GBM patients. Six-month survival was 52% and 48%, respectively. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed areas of decreased signal intensity within the tumor consistent with tumor necrosis following treatment in many patients. Conclusions: NBI-3001 appears to have an acceptable safety and toxicity profile when administered intratumorally in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.     

A Phase II Study of Recombinant Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Myelosuppression is often the major limiting factor that prevents timely administration of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, particularly in chemoresponsive malignancies. A study was designed to assess the role of GM-CSF in preventing myelosuppression in patients with intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving combination chemotherapy (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisone and Epirubicin or Mitozantrone, ± Bleomycin). A total of 24 patients were entered and data collated from 20 of them are amenable to analysis.

All patients received the first chemotherapy cycle without GM-CSF and the second with GM-CSF (250 mg/m² subcutaneously twice daily for 5 days commencing on the 5th day following chemotherapy). By entering only those patients who had suffered myelosuppression following chemotherapy, an internal control was established. GM-CSF administration significantly reduced the degree of neutropenia and leucopenia. The mean nadir white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) were 2.88 × 10⁹/L and 0.97 × 10⁹/L in cycle 1 as compared to 5.95 × 10⁹/L and 2.92 × 10⁹/L respectively, in cycle 2 (p = 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). Eight patients (40%) had febrile neutropenias and 13 patients (65%) experienced a treatment delay by a median of 8 days during cycle 1. Six patients (30%) had febrile neutropenias and 2 patients (10%) had a treatment delay of 3 days during cycle 2. Reversible toxicity was seen in the majority of patients: bone pains (60%), skin rashes (35%), arthralgias (25%), and altered taste sensation (10%). No patient developed the capillary leak syndrome. This study demonstrates the efficacy of GM-CSF in preventing chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.     

A Phase II Study of Nimustine Hydrochloride,Cisplatin, and Etoposide Combination Chemotherapy for Supratentorial Malignant Gliomas

Twenty-eight patients who were previously treated by aggressive surgery and radiation and were diagnosed with supratentorial malignant gliomas received a combination of nimustine hydrochloride; 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl) methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU), cisplatin and etoposide (ACE therapy) as primary treatment. Cisplatin and etoposide were given at doses of 20 and 60mg/m²/day for 5 days, respectively, ACNU doses 80mg/m²/day on the first day. Treatment was repeated at 4-week intervals for up to 3 cycles. Seventeen patients (60.7%) complained of nausea. Grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity occurred in 11 patients (39.3%), and grade 3 or 4 renal toxicity occurred in 2 patients. The percentage of patients who showed complete or partial response was 28.6% (8/28). The median time of tumor progression was 40 weeks, and the median survival time was 146 weeks. There were some long-surviving patients who may have benefited from ACE combination. This study demonstrated the effects of ACE combination in patients with supratentorial malignant gliomas.     

Phase II study of viscum fraxini-2 in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Although a wide range of therapeutic options is available, the efficacy of these methods and the prognosis of patients with HCC remain very poor. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of viscum fraxini-2 in patients with chemotherapy-na?ve, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. 23 patients with unrespectable HCC who had received no prior systemic chemotherapy with objectively measurable tumors were enrolled on this study. The mistletoe preparation for the study is an aqueous injectable solution. It contains one milliliter of viscum fraxini in dilution stage-2 (15 mg extract of 20 mg mistletoe herb from ash tree, diluted in di-natrium-mono-hydrogen phosphate, ascorbic acid and water) which is equivalent to 10 000 ng/ml injection ampoules. 2 ampoules of viscum fraxini-2 were administered subcutaneously once weekly. As assessed by conventional imaging criteria, 3 (13.1%) patients have achieved complete response, 2 (8.1%) patients have achieved a partial response. 9 (39.1%) had progressive disease while 9 (39.1%) patients didn't have evaluation of response due to early death. The median overall survival time for all patients was 5 months (range 2-38 months), for those who achieved a CR was 29 months (range 12-38 months) and, for those who achieved a PR was 6.5 months (range 6-7 months). The median progression free survival for all patients was 2 months (range 1-38 months), for those who achieved a CR, it was 29 months (range 8-38 months) and for those who achieved a partial response, it was 5 months (range 4-6 months). No hematologic toxicity has been encountered. The spectrum of non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The WHO toxicity criteria grade 3-4 were 34.8% drug related fever, 13.1% erthyma at injection site and 17.4% pain at the site of injection. No drug related discontinuation or toxic deaths have occurred. Viscum fraxini-2 seems to be particularly promising in patients with advanced HCC, it shows antitumor activity and low toxicity profile. Further studies in combination with other active agents are clearly warranted.     

Phase II Study of Chemotherapy with ACNU Plus Cisplatin Followed by Cranial Irradiation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy with ACNU (1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)-methyl-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea) plus cisplatin followed by cranial irradiation in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Patients and methods: Between August 1999 and July 2001, previously untreated 30 patients with histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme were treated. Chemotherapy consisting of up to 2 cycles of 72 h of continuous intravenous infusion of ACNU (40 mg/m²/day) and cisplatin (40 mg/m²/d) was given over a 6-week period. Radiation was begun 6 weeks after the second cycle of chemotherapy. Results: Median age was 48 years (range 18–66 years) and 22 patients with residual measurable disease after surgery were eligible for response analysis. One (5%) had a complete response (CR), 36% partial response (PR), 14% stable disease (SD), and 45% progressive disease (PD) after chemotherapy. After additional radiation, 22% had CR, 22% PR, 16% SD, and 42% PD. Grades III and IV leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 18 cycles (36%) and 15 cycles (30%), respectively. No fatal complications occurred. Median time to progression was 5.9 months (95% CI 5.1–6.8 months) and median overall survival was 14.9 months (95% CI 9.1–20.7 months). Conclusions: Preradiation chemotherapy with ACNU plus cisplatin is effective and feasible in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.     

A Phase II Study with Teniposide (VM26) in Patients with Progressed or Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Summary

Sixteen patients with advanced small cell lung cancer who relapsed or progressed under first-line therapy, were treated with second-line chemotherapy consisting of: teniposide, 60 mg/m², i.v. days 1-5, every 3 weeks until further progression.

The response rate was: 3 minor responses, 6 stable disease, 5 progressive disease, 1 early death and 1 not evaluable. After the introduction of teniposide, median survival was 4.5 (range 1-11) months, compared to the median survival (2 months, range 1-11) observed in 40 contemporary patients of our series, who relapsed or progressed and subsequently received no treatment. The assessment of the difference was significant: chi-square = 4.05, P<0.05. In addition a particular comparison was performed with 15/40 patients who matched according to the major predictive parameters of disease. These patients experienced 2 months (range 1-7) of median survival which was significantly shorter than that of the teniposide treated group (chi-square = 4.48, P< 0.05). On these bases, teniposide appeared to be effective, but the small size of the study suggests caution in evaluating the results.     

Phase II study of XR5000 (DACA) administered as a 120-h infusion in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

BACKGROUND: XR5000 is a tricyclic carboxamide that intercalates DNA and inhibits both topoisomerase I and II. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of XR5000 in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme previously untreated with chemotherapy at relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received XR5000 at a dose of 3010 mg/m2 as a 120-h central venous infusion every 3 weeks. An independent panel assessed response every two cycles using McDonald's criteria (tumour size, steroid intake and neurological status); toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria, version 2.0. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were enrolled (one ineligible patient was excluded from efficacy evaluation). Performance status was zero (five patients), one (nine patients) or two (one patient). They received 30 cycles of XR5000 (median 2, range 1-5). Haematological toxicity was mild, with only one patient experiencing grade 3 neutropenia. Other related grade 3/4 adverse events included chest pain (one patient), axillary vein thrombosis (one patient) and rigors/fever in the absence of neutropenia (one patient). There were no objective responses, 14 patients progressing on XR5000 and one having stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although XR5000 was generally well tolerated, these results do not support further evaluation in patients with glioblastoma multiforme using this dose and schedule.     

A Phase II Study of Pazopanib in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Invasive Breast Carcinoma: A Trial of the Princess Margaret Hospital Phase II Consortium

Purpose.

Angiogenesis is an important hallmark of breast cancer growth and progression. Pazopanib, an oral small molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and KIT, has activity across a range of solid tumors. We evaluated the activity of single-agent pazopanib in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients and Methods.

Patients with recurrent breast cancer or MBC, treated with up to two prior lines of chemotherapy, were eligible to receive pazopanib, 800 mg daily until progression. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate as measured by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Secondary endpoints included time to progression, the stable disease rate, and toxicity. Using a two-stage design, confirmed response in three of 18 patients was required to proceed to stage 2.

Results.

Twenty evaluable patients were treated, with a median age of 56 years; 70% were estrogen receptor positive, all were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative. The majority had one or two prior lines of chemotherapy. One patient (5%) had a partial response, 11 (55%) had stable disease (SD) [four (20%) with SD ≥6 months], and seven (35%) had progressive disease as their best response. One (5%) was not evaluable. The median time to progression was 5.3 months. Pazopanib did not cause significant severe toxicity aside from grade 3–4 transaminitis, hypertension, and neutropenia in three patients each (14% each) and grade 3 gastrointestinal hemorrhage in one patient (5%).

Conclusion.

Pazopanib provides disease stability in advanced breast cancer. The activity seen is comparable with that of other antiangiogenic agents in this setting. Pazopanib may be of interest for future studies in breast cancer, including in combination with other systemic agents.     

Phase Ii Trial of Mitozolomide in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Study of the Eortc Gynecological Cancer Cooperative Group

Twenty-seven fully evaluable patients with advanced ovarian cancer and documented disease progression despite cytotoxic treatment were treated with mitozolomide (NCS-353451) 90 mg/m² as a 1-h infusion once every 6 weeks. None of the patients responded, one had stabilization of disease for 4 months. Haema-tologic toxicity was the major side effect with a nadir or white blood cell counts around day 40. Two patients died with severe leukopenia and septic shock. We conclude that mitozolomide is not active in this poor-risk group of patients.     

A Multicenter Phase II Study of Docetaxel 60 mg/m2 as First-Line Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Docetaxel is an active agent as first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer at a dosage of 100 mg/m2. However, the efficacy of this agent as a first-line drug when used at a lower dosage is unclear. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 60 mg/m2 docetaxel for the treatment of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 23 patients with advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer, who had not been treated with an anthracycline or taxane previously. Treatment with docetaxel was continued in patients showing a response until there was evidence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: Among 20 fully evaluated patients, the overall response rate was 50.0% and the median time to progression was 31 weeks. The most commonly observed adverse events were neutropenia (78.2%) and fatigue (60.9%). Fluid retention occurred in only 8.7% of the patients. Adverse events did not cause discontinuation of the treatment. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel achieved good disease control with mild adverse events in first-line treatment at a dosage of 60 mg/m2.