PHASE-II TRIAL OF CPT-11 IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PANCREATIC-CANCER,AN EORTC EARLY CLINICAL-TRIALS GROUP-STUDY

Background: CPT-11 (irinotecan) is a semi-synthetic derivative of camp tothecin and exerts its activity by inhibiting DNA topoisomerase I. A phase II study of this drug was performed in patients with pancreatic cancer. Patients and methods: Eligibility criteria included advanced n on-chemotherapy-pretreated pancreatic cancer. CPT-11 was administered as a 30-minute i.v. infusion at a dose of 350 mg/m(2) diluted in 250 m l normal saline every 3 weeks. Results: Thirty-four eligible patients were enrolled in the study, thirty-two of them were evaluated, and thr ee achieved partial responses (9%; 95% C.I. = 3%-25%). The duration of response was 7.2, 7.5 and 7.8 months, respectively. Thirteen patients had no change, fourteen patients had progressive disease and two had early progressive disease. The median duration of survival for all pat ients treated was 5.2 months. The main toxicities (CTC grade greater t han or equal to 3) were diarrhea, leukocytopenia, asthenia, nausea and Vomiting in, respectively, 7%, 16%, 8%, 6%, 4% of the courses. These toxicities were reversible and manageable with anti-emetics and prophy lactic or curative antidiarrheal agents. Conclusion. CPT-11 is an inte resting moderately effective drug in pancreatic cancer.