A phase II trial of weekly intravenous ranpirnase (Onconase (R)), a novel ribonuclease in patients with metastatic kidney cancer

Ranpirnase (Onconase (R)) is the first ribonuclease to enter cancer clinica l trials. In prior phase II trials, responses were seen in mesothelioma and other solid tumors. This phase II trial tested ranpirnase (480 mug/m(2)/w) in 14 patients with refractory advanced renal cell cancer. The median perf ormance status was zero and the median age was 55. All patients had prior i mmunotherapy and three had prior chemotherapy. No responses were seen in 14 patients. The median survival from on study was 16 months (range two to 28 months). At this dose and schedule ranpirnase has minimal activity in meta static renal cell cancer.