Ps. Gill et al., PHASE I II CLINICAL AND PHARMACOKINETIC EVALUATION OF LIPOSOMAL DAUNORUBICIN/, Journal of clinical oncology, 13(4), 1995, pp. 996-1003
Purpose: Since liposomal encapsulation of anticancer drugs may enhance
antitumor activity while reducing toxicity in vitro, we evaluated lip
osomally encapsulated daunorubucin (Dauno Xome; Vestar, Inc, San Dimas
, CA) for safety, pharmacokinetics, and potential efficacy in patients
with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS). Patients and Methods: F
orty patients with advanced AIDS-KS were accrued. Successive cohorts r
eceived DaunoXome at doses of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/m(2) given once ev
ery 3 weeks, and 40, 50, and 60 mg/m(2) given once every 2 weeks. Sele
cted KS and solid-tumor patients underwent pharmacokinetic evaluation.
Results: The area under the plasma concentration curve (AUG) ranged f
rom 16.9 mu g.h/mL to 375.3 mu g./mL and the alpha half-life ranged fr
om 7.8 to 8.3 hours at 10 mg/m(2) to 60 mg/m(2), respectively. Both ph
armacokinetic profiles were significantly better compared with free da
unorubicin. DaunoXome was well tolerated with no significant alopecia,
mucositis, or vomiting. Neutropenia (< 1,000/mu L) occurred in 17% of
cycles and was severe (< 500/mu L) in only 2%. Anemia and thrombocyto
penia were uncommon. Other adverse events included mild to moderate fa
tigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Even after cumulative doses greater than
1,000 mg/m(2), no significant declines in cardiac function were observ
ed. Twenty-two patients who received 50 and 60 mg/m(2) were assessable
for tumor response; 12 (55%) had a partial response (PR) or clinical
complete response (CR). The median survival duration in all patients w
as 9 months. Prognostic factors for short survival were low CD4 lympho
cyte counts (P = .004) and prior anthracycline therapy (P = .02). Conc
lusion: DaunoXome has an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared wit
h free daunorubicin, and is well tolerated. DaunoXome con be given saf
ely at doses up to 60 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks and has significant antitu
mor activity in patients with AIDS-KS. J Clin Oncol 13:996-1003. (C) 1
995 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.