CHEMOTHERAPY FOR MUSTARD-RESISTANT OVARIAN ADENOCARCINOMA - RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF CCNU AND METHYL-CCNU

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (8) , 1533-1535
Abstract
In view of the need for drugs which have antitumor activity in alkylating agent resistant ovarian cancer or which might be more potent than standard agents, a randomized trial of 2 nitrosoureas, CCNU [1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosurea] and methyl-CCNU [1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea] was conducted. Of 31 evaluable patients who received at least 1 dose of CCNU (100 mg/m2 orally every 6 wk), there were only 2 patients who experienced even transient improvement; 18 of these patients had 2 or more doses over a trial period of .gtoreq. 12 wk. Of 26 evaluable patients who received at least 1 dose of methyl-CCNU (150 mg/m2 orally every 6 wk), there was 1 patient who experienced transient improvement. This group included 14 patients receiving at least 2 doses and whose trial lasted .gtoreq. 12 wk. All patients were previously treated with mustard type alkylating agents. None of the responses were clinically useful. Women with ovarian adenocarcinoma who have a history of prior chemotherapy are not likely benefit from treatment with these nitrosoureas.