Effect of cyclosporin A on protein binding of teniposide in cancer patients

We investigated the effect of cyclosporin A (CSA) on protein binding of teniposide (VM26) in 16 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving i.v. VM26 alone over 24 h (total dose, 200 mg/m2) and in association with CSA (5 mg/kg/2 h followed by 30 mg/kg/48 h i.v.). CSA was used in an attempt to overcome multidrug resistance. The unbound fraction (%fu) of VM26 was significantly (p=0.04) higher in the cycles with CSA (median 0.8; range 0.4-1.9) than in the cycles with VM26 alone (median 0.5; range 0.1-1.6). Both total VM26 area under curve concentration (AUC0-infinity) and free VM26 AUC0-infinity increased after treatment with CSA, but the median increase in free AUC0-infinity was higher (2.7-fold) than total AUC0-infinity (1.5-fold) (p = 0.04). Bilirubin was significantly (p<0.01) increased after CSA but no association was observed between bilirubin level and %fu of VM26. Albumin was in the normal range after both VM26 alone and VM26 plus CSA. The nadir of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) after VM26 plus CSA (median 700/microl, range <100-2860/microl) was lower than after VM26 alone (median 1900/microl, range 200-6000/microl) (p = 0.0007). The median percentage of ANC compared to the pretreatment value (ANC nadir/ANC pretreatment x 100) was 39.0% (range 3.1-98.8%) in the cycles with VM26 alone and 16.9% (range 1.4-97.9%) (p = 0.007) after VM26 plus CSA. Percentage change of neutrophils significantly correlated with free AUC0-infinity VM26 in the cycles with VM26 alone and VM26 plus CSA (p = 0.04, r = -0.53 and p = 0.04, r = -0.52, respectively). Only a trend which failed to reach significance was observed between total AUC0-infinity VM26 and percentage change of neutrophils in the cycles with VM26 alone and in association with CSA (p = NS, r = -0.33 and p = 0.055, r = -0.49, respectively). In conclusion, patients treated with CSA had higher systemic exposure to unbound VM26.

Teniposide sometimes effective in brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

In a prospective study we have treated 13 patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer with intravenous teniposide, at a dose of 150 mg/m2 on days 1, 3 and 5 given every 3 weeks on an out-patient basis. Six of the 13 patients had previously been treated for brain metastases by surgery and/or radiotherapy. Seven patients experienced neurological improvement. Objective response was obtained in 3 patients (23%) (2 PR, 1 CR), and stabilization in 5 patients. Duration of response in the 3 patients with objective response was 16 weeks, 40 weeks and 80 weeks, respectively. In 2 of these patients extracranial disease responded also to teniposide therapy. Although toxicity of teniposide therapy was relatively mild, there was one patient who died as a consequence of leukopenic sepsis. The results demonstrate that teniposide has some activity in de novo as well as recurrent brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer.

Influence of teniposide (VM-26) on radiation-induced damage to mouse spermatogenesis: a flow cytometric evaluation

The effect of teniposide (VM-26) 0.05 mg/kg body weight treatment on spermatogenesis of mice exposed to 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 Gy gamma-radiation was evaluated flow cytometrically. Whole body irradiation with 1 to 3 Gy resulted in a significant decline in testis weight from Day 14 to 35 post-irradiation depending on the exposure dose. Treatment of mice with teniposide before irradiation advanced the decline in testicular weight by several days, especially at 3 Gy, where a significant decline in testicular weight was observed at Day 7 post-irradiation when compared with the double distilled water (DDW)+irradiation group. The relative percentage of the 2C population declined significantly in the VM-26+irradiation group in comparison with the DDW+irradiation group at various post-irradiation time periods depending on the exposure dose. A significant depletion in the relative percentage of S-phase cells was observed as early as Day 1 post-irradiation in the VM-26+irradiation group when compared with the DDW+irradiation group after exposure to 1 to 3 Gy. This decline continued up to Day 21 post-irradiation after exposure to 2 Gy. The relative percentage of primary spermatocytes showed a consistent decline after exposure to various doses of gamma-radiation in the VM-26+irradiation group when compared with the DDW+irradiation group at different time periods, with a few exceptions, especially at higher doses. The pattern of decline in the relative percentage of round spermatids was similar to that of primary spermatocytes, where a significant decline was observed at various post-irradiation time periods in the VM-26+irradiation group in comparison with the DDW+irradiation group. These changes in the relative germ cell percentages are manifested as alterations in the ratios of various germ cell populations. The 4C:2C ratio declined consistently from Day 1 to Day 70 post-irradiation in the VM-26+irradiation group at all exposure doses. Similarly, the 4C:S-phase ratio in the VM-26+irradiation group also showed a significant decline at different post-irradiation time periods when compared with the DDW+irradiation group depending on the exposure dose. The reduction observed in the relative percentages of various cell populations was higher in the combination group when compared with the DDW+irradiation controls, indicating potentiation of damage to male germ cells by teniposide treatment before irradiation.

Etoposide: four decades of development of a topoisomerase II inhibitor

Podophyllin-containing materials have been used as folk medicines for centuries. In the 1950s, scientists began a search to identify a more effective podophyllotoxin derivative. These efforts eventually resulted in the development of a new class of antineoplastic agents which target the DNA unwinding enzyme, topoisomerase II. The history of the development of one of the first identified topoisomerase II inhibitors, etoposide, is reviewed in this paper. Critical developments in etoposide's mechanism of action, pharmacology and administration schedule are summarised. The clinical benefits of the recently marketed etoposide prodrug, etoposide phosphate (Etopophos) are also detailed. The current status of other clinically approved anticancer agents which target topoisomerase II is briefly reviewed.

Improved targeting of brain tumors using dexrazoxane rescue of topoisomerase II combined with supralethal doses of etoposide and teniposide

Dexrazoxane (ICRF-187) is a catalytic inhibitor of the nuclear enzyme DNA topoisomerase II (topo II). It protects cells against topo II poisons, such as etoposide and teniposide, by hindering the DNA cleavage reaction of the target enzyme. We have previously shown that this antagonism also extends to an in vivo model. Thus, ICRF-187 protected mice against supralethal doses of etoposide and amsacrine, and the etoposide LD10 dose increased as much as 3.6-fold when combined with ICRF-187 (B. Holm, Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol., 38: 203-209, 1996). We describe here how scheduling of this drug combination can be optimized and used. Interestingly, ICRF-187 can protect when it is given after etoposide. Although timing is very critical here, ICRF-187 was able to completely protect when given 10 min after etoposide. This rescue principle resembles methotrexate rescue by folinic acid. We also found scheduling to be crucial because ICRF-187 did not protect when etoposide was given once a day for five days, whereas effective protection was seen when etoposide was used three times, once every four days. Similar investigations were performed with teniposide in combination with ICRF-187. The combination with ICRF-187 allowed a 3.4-fold teniposide dose escalation. Such dose escalations could be advantageous in specific situations. One such case is when the tumor is situated in a pharmacological sanctuary, e.g., in the brain. ICRF-187 is hydrophilic and does not cross the blood-brain barrier, whereas the lipophilic etoposide and teniposide do. Therefore, ICRF-187 would protect normal tissues and allow a cytotoxic dose of etoposide to reach the central nervous system (CNS). We therefore studied the combinations using L1210 or EHR2 cells inoculated into the CNS of mice. L1210 presented a leukemic CNS model with leptomeningeal spread and infiltration of liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, whereas EHR2 cells acted as a solid tumor with no evidence of extracerebral disease. In all experiments, the combination of high-dose etoposide and ICRF-187 was significantly superior to an equitoxic dose of etoposide alone. Such superiority was also seen when treatment was given on days 4, 8, and 12 after tumor inoculation. Here etoposide alone resulted in a mean increased life span of 12.3%, whereas the rescue regimen yielded an increase of 47% (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, DNA topo II rescue by catalytic inhibitors is a new strategy enabling significant epipodophyllotoxin dose escalations; in this study, we have demonstrated the superiority of this strategy in two in vivo CNS tumor models. This concept is now being tested in a clinical trial.

Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of teniposide in human plasma

A simple and practical high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis has been developed for measuring teniposide (VM26) in human plasma. The present analytical method has improved extraction efficiency from human plasma, therefore allowing determination of VM26 in a clinical setting using ultraviolet detection alone. Furthermore, sample preparation was simplified and shortened through use of a one-step extraction procedure. VM26 and internal standard (ibuprofen) were extracted from human plasma (0.5 ml) with ethyl acetate. A phenyl muBondapak column eluted with a mobile phase, consisting of acetonitrile-distilled water-acetic acid (30:68:2, v/v/v) was used for separation, and quantitation was achieved with a UV monitor set at 240 nm. Average extraction efficiency was 96.8+/-6.6% for VM26 between 1 and 25 microg/ml, and 91.4+/-4.3% for internal standard, with both intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation being less than 10%. The detection limit with a 100-microl injection was estimated at 0.2 microg/ml with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 for VM26 in human plasma. The stability data of VM26 in plasma, standard and stock solutions were also obtained. The present method was found to be an alternative to the previously reported method with an electrochemical detection, and can be easily applied to routine clinical pharmacokinetic studies of VM26.

New agents in the treatment of small cell lung cancer

The treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has evolved significantly over the past 3 decades. Single-agent and combination chemotherapies given with radiotherapy have greatly improved response rates and median survival. Combination regimens such as cisplatin/etoposide, carboplatin/etoposide, ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide, cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine, and etoposide/ifosfamide/cisplatin have all achieved good response rates. Improving long-term survival, however, has remained problematic. Treatment with biological response modifiers (interferons alpha and gamma) has not shown promise in this setting. New agents showing good preliminary single-agent activity in untreated SCLC include paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, topotecan, and teniposide. Results obtained with single-agent docetaxel and CPT-11 are thus far inconclusive. Studies evaluating response and survival rates of these new agents in combination with agents of known activity are underway.

The clinical impact of teniposide in the treatment of elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer

Teniposide (VM26) has been claimed to be active with a moderate toxicity in elderly patients affected by small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Twenty-two patients with SCLC older than 65 years received VM26 as first-line chemotherapy at a dose of 60 mg/m2 on 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Age distribution ranged from 67 to 80 years (median 72 years). Fourteen patients were men and eight were women. Twelve patients had limited disease (LD) and ten extensive disease (ED). One patient (LD) had a complete response, and four (3 LD, 1 ED) achieved a partial response for an overall response rate of 22.7% (95% CI 6-40%). The most frequent toxicity was myelosuppression: 20 and 15% of patients had grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Our results seem to suggest that VM26 by this schedule is moderately effective in elderly patients with SCLC, and it cannot be recommended as a routine treatment.

Teniposide (VM-26) as a single drug treatment for patients with extensive small cell lung carcinoma: a Phase II study of the Southwest Oncology Group

BACKGROUND

Teniposide (VM-26) was reported to have activity in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The authors performed a Phase II study of teniposide as a treatment for patients with previously untreated extensive SCLC.

METHODS

The study was open to patients with a histologic or cytologic diagnosis of extensive SCLC who had not received prior radiation or chemotherapy. Patients with hematologic values below normal were considered eligible if the impaired bone marrow function was directly attributable to disease involvement. Treatment consisted of teniposide 60 mg/m2 given intravenously (i.v.) on Days 1-5 every 3 weeks.

RESULTS

This study opened on September 15, 1988, closed permanently on November 15, 1990, and accrued 45 patients identified at 19 academic, military, and Community Clinical Oncology Program institutions affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group. Of the 45 registered patients, 41 were eligible. Twenty eight (68%) were males and 13 (32%) were females; the median age was 64 years (minimum, 46 years; maximum, 83 years). Twenty-four patients (59%) had a performance status (PS) on the Zubrod scale of 0-1 and 17 cases (41%) had a PS of 2. Of the 41 eligible patients, 10 had confirmed partial responses (24%) (95% confidence interval, 12-40%). The median survival was 7 months. The significant toxicities noted were Grade 4 leukopenia and/or granulocytopenia, experienced by 15 patients; 1 of these patients also had Grade 4 hyponatremia. One patient died of a respiratory infection.

CONCLUSIONS

When administered according to the dosage and schedule selected for this study (60 mg/m2 i.v. on Days 1-5 every 3 weeks), teniposide as a single agent had modest activity in extensive small cell lung carcinoma. The toxicities observed in this study were acceptable.

Combining cyclosporin with chemotherapy controls intraocular retinoblastoma without requiring radiation

Chemotherapy without radiation has not controlled most intraocular retinoblastoma, perhaps because of the common high expression of multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein that we found in retinoblastoma. Cyclosporin blocks P-glycoprotein-induced efflux of vincristine and teniposide in vitro, and possibly modulates responses to carboplatin. To avoid eye irradiation in bilateral retinoblastoma patients with RB1 germline mutations, which incurs a high second malignancy rate, we added cyclosporin A to a vincristine-teniposide-carboplatin protocol and consolidated chemotherapy responses with focal therapy. We scored patients requiring irradiation, enucleation, or focal ablation of central vision as failures. In 21 study patients, the overall relapse-free rate at a median follow-up of 3.3 years was 76%, with a rate of 92% for newly diagnosed and 50% for previously treated, relapsed retinoblastoma. Our results for the most unfavorable tumors with vitreous seeds (86% at 3.5 years) are better than published success rates of irradiation for similar tumors, or irradiation with the same chemotherapy without cyclosporin (45% at 2. 6 years). These results also exceeded our historic success rate with similar chemotherapy without cyclosporin, focal therapy, and/or radiation in 19 equivalently poor-risk patients (relapse-free rate 37% at a median follow-up of 5.6 years, P = 0.032), 16 of whom were previously untreated (relapse-free rate also 37%, P = 0.012). A better outcome occurred with higher cyclosporin blood levels and projected tissue exposure. Cyclosporin did not enhance the usual chemotoxicity. This clinical study suggests that cyclosporin improves the long-term response of retinoblastoma to chemotherapy, possibly by more than one mechanism.

Mechanisms of resistance of human small cell lung cancer lines selected in VP-16 and cisplatin

BACKGROUND

The combination of VP-16 and cisplatin is one of the most active regimens available for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), however, most tumors eventually become resistant to these drugs.

METHODS

To investigate the problem of resistance to VP-16 and cisplatin in patients with SCLC, we established two resistant sublines from the drug sensitive human SCLC line, NCI-H209, by in vitro selection in VP-16 and cisplatin.

RESULTS

The VP-16-selected cell line, H209/VP, was more than 100-fold resistant to VP-16, and displayed cross-resistance to VM-26 and other topoisomerase II interactive drugs, but not to vinca alkaloids. There was no difference in accumulation of VP-16 in H209/VP compared with its parent cell line. The level of topoisomerase II-alpha was reduced to 8% of that in the parent cell line, and there was an altered form of this enzyme with a molecular weight of 160 kilodaltons (kDa), in addition to the normal 170 kDa protein. The cisplatin-selected cell line, H209/CP, was 11.5-fold resistant to cisplatin, with only a low level of cross-resistance to other platinum compounds including carboplatin, tetraplatin, iproplatin, and lobaplatin. This line was highly cross-resistant to vinca alkaloids, but not to anthracyclines or epipodophyllotoxins. The H209/CP cell line was not resistant to cadium chloride, suggesting that alterations in metallothionein are unlikely to be a cause of resistance. Although glutathione (GSH) levels were increased nearly 2-fold in H209/CP, there was no difference in levels of the GSH-related enzymes glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, compared with the parent line. The H209/CP line had a 1.4-fold elevation of topoisomerase II-alpha. The accumulation of cisplatin was reduced in this cell line, and there were fewer DNA-interstrand cross links formed in the presence of cisplatin in H209/CP, compared with the parent line. Neither H209/VP nor H209/CP expressed MDR1, the gene for P-glycoprotein. The MRP gene was expressed at a slightly higher level in the H209/VP cell line, but there was no significant increase in expression of this gene in the H209/CP cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

The resistance of the H209/VP cell line is associated with an alteration of topoisomerase II-alpha, whereas the resistance in the H209/CP line is associated with reduced drug accumulation.

Superiority of cisplatin or carboplatin in combination with teniposide and vincristine in the induction chemotherapy of small-cell lung cancer. A randomized trial with 5 years follow up

PURPOSE

The introduction of platinum compounds and epipodophyllotoxins in combination with vincristine as induction chemotherapy in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) was investigated in order to: (1) compare the efficacy of cisplatin with that of carboplatin in combination with teniposide and vincristine as inducers of remission over three cycles; (2) compare the toxicity pattern of carboplatin and of cisplatin when given in combination regimens; and (3) compare a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of three alternating combinations with that of regimens consisting of four alternating combinations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 1985 to September 1991, 484 consecutive, previously untreated patients with SCLC, performance status 0-4, entered a three armed randomized trial with three cycles of cisplatin (arm I) or carboplatin (arm II) in combination with teniposide and vincristine alternating with three treatment blocks of cyclophosphamide, etoposide, lomustine and vincristine (block A), doxorubicin and vincristine (block B) and cisplatin, hexamethylmelamine and vindesine (block C) versus alternating treatment with block A, B and C (arm III).

RESULTS

No difference in efficacy or toxicity was found between cisplatin and carboplatin at the present dosages. Induction chemotherapy with teniposide plus cisplatin or carboplatin did not result in higher complete response rates (objective response rates 63%, 72% and 65%, respectively) or in significantly greater toxicity, but overall survival was superior compared with the arm III (log-rank test, P = 0.02). The median survival difference was 7 weeks, and two year survival 15% versus 9%. The Cox regression analysis identified the arm III, poor performance status and elevated LDH as factors with statistically significant negative impact on survival.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin and carboplatin produced similar response and survival rates and similar toxicity. Induction with platinum and epipodophyllotoxins did not improve objective response rates, but significantly improved survival without increasing the toxicity.

Distribution of 11q23 breakpoints within the MLL breakpoint cluster region in de novo acute leukemia and in treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia: correlation with scaffold attachment regions and topoisomerase II consensus binding sites

A major unresolved question for 11q23 translocations involving MLL is the chromosomal mechanism(s) leading to these translocations. We have mapped breakpoints within the 8.3-kb BamHI breakpoint cluster region in 31 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) de novo and in 8 t-AML patients. In 23 of 31 leukemia de novo patients, MLL breakpoints mapped to the centromeric half (4.57 kb) of the breakpoint cluster region, whereas those in eight de novo patients mapped to the telomeric half (3.87 kb). In contrast, only two t-AML breakpoints mapped in the centromeric half, whereas six mapped in the telomeric half. The difference in distribution of the leukemia de novo breakpoints is statistically significant (P = .02). A similar difference in distribution of breakpoints between de novo patients and t-AML patients has been reported by others. We identified a low- or weak-affinity scaffold attachment region (SAR) mapping just centromeric to the breakpoint cluster region, and a high-affinity SAR mapping within the telomeric half of the breakpoint cluster region. Using high stringency criteria to define in vitro vertebrate topoisomerase II (topo II) consensus sites, one topo II site mapped adjacent to the telomeric SAR, whereas six mapped within the SAR. Therefore, 74% of leukemia de novo and 25% of t-AML breakpoints map to the centromeric half of the breakpoint cluster region map between the two SARs; in contrast, 26% of the leukemia de novo and 75% of the t-AML patient breakpoints map to the telomeric half of the breakpoint cluster region that contains both the telomeric SAR and the topo II sites. Thus, the chromatin structure of the MLL breakpoint cluster region may be important in determining the distribution of the breakpoints. The data suggest that the mechanism(s) leading to translocations may differ in leukemia de novo and in t-AML.

Effect of cyclosporine on teniposide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in patients with renal cell cancer

Five patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC) entered this study. The patients received two courses of teniposide (VM26) (200 mg/m2/24 h i.v.) after which no objective response was observed: three patients had stable disease (SD) and two had progressive disease. Cyclosporine (CsA) (5 mg/kg/2 h followed by 30 mg/kg/48 h i.v.) was then added (VM26/CsA) and at least another two courses were administered. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were analyzed. CsA increased the area under curve (AUC) of VM26 in four out of five patients; on average, the variation in the paired AUC of VM26 was 41%. Nadir granulocyte count was lower (average 650/mm3, ranging from < 100 to 1800/mm3) after VM26/CsA than after VM26 (average 1260/mm3, ranging from 200 to 2100/mm3) (p < 0.01). Bilirubin concentration in the serum was increased after VM26/CsA compared with VM26 (p < 0.05). Finally, after two courses of VM26/CsA, four patients had stable disease and one patient had a minor response. In conclusion, the ongoing pilot study indicates that CsA affects both the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of VM26.

Teniposide for brain metastases of small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group

PURPOSE

Here we report the results of a phase II study of teniposide, one of the most active drugs against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), in patients with brain metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with SCLC who presented with brain metastases at diagnosis (n = 11) or during follow-up evaluation after treatment (n = 69) were treated with teniposide at a dose of 150 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 3, and 5 at 3-week intervals in an outpatient setting. Response in the brain was evaluated by brain computed tomography (CT) after two, six, and 12 courses.

RESULTS

In 26 of 80 assessable patients, an intracranial response was seen, with a response rate of 33% (95% confidence interval, 22% to 44%). The median response duration was 5.4 months for patients with a complete response (CR) and 4.2 months for patients with a partial response (PR). Patients who required corticosteroids for peritumoral edema had a significantly lower response rate than patients who did not receive corticosteroids. Neurologic function at the start of treatment had a significant influence (neurologic function 1 better than 2, respectively, better than 3 and 4; P < .001), as did the number of cycles of previous chemotherapy (0 better than 1 to 5 cycles, respectively, better than > 5 cycles; P = .043). Grade 3/4 leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 3% and 39%, respectively, of 80 patients. Toxicity-related death was seen in eight patients, seven of whom were previously treated with chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Teniposide is active against brain metastases of SCLC. It is a suitable drug for palliation, especially of patients without extensive pretreatment and with a good neurologic function and performance status. Patients previously treated with cranial radiotherapy are also candidates for this therapy. If systemic chemotherapy is considered for tumor progression outside the brain, radiotherapy of brain metastases might be omitted or delayed pending the effect of chemotherapy. The use of corticosteroids in patients with brain metastases treated with chemotherapy might influence the efficacy of the chemotherapy.

Phase II trial of gallium nitrate, amonafide and teniposide in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study (E2588)

Fifty-five patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were entered into this phase II randomized study for evaluating three new agents: gallium nitrate, amonafide and teniposide. The patients had to have ECOG performance status 0 or 1, no prior chemotherapy, and adequate hematological, hepatic and renal functions. Forty-seven patients were eligible and evaluable. Fourteen were randomized to receive gallium nitrate, 18 to amonafide and 15 to teniposide. Seventy-four percent of eligible patients were male. The majority of patients (89%) had an ECOG performance status 1. ECOG grade 4 toxicity occurred twice in patients on gallium nitrate, seven times on amonafide and 18 times on teniposide. The cause of death was attributed to amonafide in one patients (from sepsis) and to teniposide in two patients (due to infection and leukopenia). There was no objective response in all the patients entered. The overall survival times ranged from 2 weeks to 156 weeks with a medium of 23 weeks. There were no survival differences among the three treatment arms. We conclude that gallium nitrate, amonafide and teniposide are inactive in metastatic NSCLC and do not warrant any further testing in this disease.

Teniposide: overview of its therapeutic potential in adult cancers

Teniposide was introduced into clinical trials prior to etoposide, but its role was not defined because interest shifted early on to etoposide. However, long-term encouraging results obtained in acute leukemia treated with teniposide have rekindled interest in this compound. In addition to pharmacokinetic differences, teniposide has greater CNS penetrance and is more lipophilic. Its greater potency is related to enhanced intracellular uptake. Although its antitumor spectrum of activity appears to be very similar to that of etoposide, a search for some differences might prove instructive.

Epipodophyllotoxins in the treatment of childhood cancer

We reported marked biologic activity with the epipodophyllotoxins in phase I/II studies of childhood cancer conducted in the 1970s. We have since extensively used the combination of teniposide and ara-C in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Initially we treated patients with refractory disease and found that the combination lacked clinical cross-resistance with standard antileukemic drugs. This formed a rationale to move teniposide and/or etoposide to front-line therapy of childhood ALL. The superior results projected for our last trial, an overall cure rate of about 75%, are attributable in part to early use of epipodophyllotoxins. This class of agents is also used extensively in the treatment of newly diagnosed childhood solid tumors, including neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and germ-cell tumors. Secondary leukemias following treatment with epipodophyllotoxins have been reported in a small subset of patients. Current data show that the most important risk factor is the schedule of drug delivery, which has led to appropriate protocol modifications.

Teniposide for meningeal carcinomatosis of small cell lung cancer

A female patient with small cell lung cancer and extensive bone marrow metastases achieved a complete response after combination chemotherapy including etoposide. During maintenance therapy meningeal carcinomatosis was diagnosed. After intravenous administration of teniposide she improved dramatically during 3 months.

Recombinant interferon alfa-2b combined with a regimen containing doxorubicin in patients with advanced follicular lymphoma. Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte

BACKGROUND

Interferon alfa and cytotoxic drugs have synergistic effects in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 1986, we designed a clinical trial to evaluate the benefit of concomitant administration of recombinant interferon alfa with a regimen containing doxorubicin in patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODS

The trial involved 242 patients with advanced low-grade follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma selected on the basis of clinical, radiographic, and biologic criteria. All patients were treated with a regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, teniposide, and prednisone (CHVP), given monthly for six cycles and then every two months for one year. After randomization, 123 patients also received interferon alfa-2b at a dosage of 5 million units three times weekly for 18 months. The remaining 119 patients received chemotherapy alone.

RESULTS

As compared with the patients treated with CHVP only, the patients treated with CHVP plus interferon alfa had a higher overall rate of response (85 percent vs. 69 percent, P = 0.006), a longer median event-free survival (34 months vs. 19 months, P < 0.001), and a higher rate of survival at 3 years (86 percent vs. 69 percent, P = 0.02). Granulocyte toxicity was greater in the patients treated with CHVP plus interferon alfa than in those treated with CHVP alone. There were no treatment-related deaths. Interferon alfa had to be stopped because of toxic effects (fatigue and hepatitis) in 13 patients (11 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of interferon alfa to a regimen containing doxorubicin increased the rate of response, event-free survival, and overall survival in patients with advanced follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, without serious toxicity, although some patients were unable to tolerate the side effects.

VM-26 in gastric cancer. A Southwest Oncology Group study

The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a trial of VM-26 (teniposide) in patients with advanced gastric cancer. VM-26 60 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 30-45 minutes was given daily for 5 days every 21 days. Twenty-one eligible patients with measurable disease and a SWOG performance status of 0-2 were analyzed for response and toxicity. Partial responses were seen in 2 of the 21 eligible patients (9.5%). Median survival was 3.8 months. Severe of life-threatening toxicity was observed in 13/21 (62%) patients. This included two drug related deaths related to neutropenic sepsis and seven other patients with grade 4 granulocytopenia (< 500/mm3). Liver dysfunction and hypotension were seen less often and were not dose limiting. Although the modest activity seen was comparable to that of VP-16 (etoposide) as a single agent, the hematologic toxicity observed in this trial would likely preclude further trials of VM-26 (teniposide) in advanced gastric cancer.