A PHASE-II STUDY OF WEEKLY ORAL METHOTREXATE AND ZIDOVUDINE (AZT) IN ADVANCED ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS AND HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

From January 1992 through May 1993, 31 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas or hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with weekly ora l methotrexate (7.5 mg/M(2) every 6 hours for 6 doses) and continuous oral AZT (200 mg four times daily). Patients were treated for a total of 6 months or until disease progression. The median age was 66 (range 44-79) and the median KPS was 80. No patient had received prior chemo therapy. Hematologic toxicity was severe with 50% of patients developi ng hemoglobins less than 8 gm/dl and 70% with granulocyte counts less than 1000 per mm(3). One patient achieved a radiographic complete remi ssion and 2 had stable disease. Two-thirds of patients progressed with in 2 months of beginning therapy. The combination of methotrexate and AZT is an inactive regimen in pancreatic and hepatocellular carcinoma and is associated with considerable toxicity.