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Therapy of advanced gastrointestinal cancer with 1‐3‐bis‐(2‐chlorethyl)‐l‐nitrosourea (BCNU)
Author(s) -
Moertel Charles G.,
Reitemeier Richard J.,
Hahn Richard G.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt196895652
Subject(s) - nausea , nitrosourea , vomiting , medicine , gastrointestinal cancer , bone marrow suppression , toxicity , cancer , bone marrow , chemotherapy , anesthesia , gastroenterology , surgery , colorectal cancer
1‐3‐Bis‐(2‐chlorethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea (BCNU) was administered intravenously to 72 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Total doses for each course of therapy ranged between 250 and 375 mg. per square meter, given in divided doses over periods of from 3 to 6 days. Initial toxic effects were transient nausea and vomiting. Bone‐marrow depression occurred late and involved all formed elements of the blood. Four patients had evidence of clinically significant hepatotoxicity. Courses of therapy could be repeated at 8 week intervals without significant cumulative toxicity. Objective tumor regressions were observed in 12.5 per cent of patients treated, and 19.5 per cent claimed symptomatic improvement. The mean duration of the tumor regressions was 4 months. Because of the low rate of tumor regressions and the short duration of these regressions, BCNU, as administered by the method employed in this study, does rwt seem to have a practical role in the management of advanced gastrointestinal cancer.