EVALUATION OF PYRAZOLOACRIDINE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PANCREATIC-CARCINOMA

Purpose: Pyrazoloacridine (PZA) is an acridine derivative selected for clinical development because of broad preclinical antitumor activity and solid tumor selectivity. Phase I evaluations with PZA have demonst rated predictable toxicity and suggested clinical efficacy. A phase Il trial in patients with previously untreated advanced pancreatic cance r was conducted. Methods: PZA was administered at a dose of 750 mg/m(2 ) intravenously over 3 hours every 21 days. Seventeen patients were tr eated receiving a total of 46 courses of PZA. Results: Of the 15 patie nts evaluable for response, no responses were observed (0% response ra te, 95% confidence interval 0-22%). Major toxicities directly attribut able to PZA included moderate neutropenia and mild neurotoxicity. Conc lusion: PZA at this dose and schedule of administration was inactive i n patients with pancreatic carcinoma.