PHASE-II TRIAL OF PIRARUBICIN IN THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED PANCREATIC-CANCER

Eighteen patients with either metastatic or locally advanced pancreati c carcinoma were treated with intravenous infusion of Pirarubicin 50 m g/m(2)/day every 3 weeks. Seventeen patients were evaluable for respon se. One had minor response, 5 had stable disease, and 11 had progressi on of disease. Hematological toxicity was moderate, leading to a dose reduction in only 1 patient; there was no clinical cardiac toxicity. W e conclude that Pirarubicin used with this dosage and schedule has no activity in advanced pancreatic carcinoma.