Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Epirubicin in colorectal cancer

A phase II study of the early clinical trials group (EORTC)

  • Clinical Trials
  • Published:
Investigational New Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Epirubicin, a stereoisomer of doxorubicin with suggested lower potential for cardiotoxicity in experimental animal tumor systems, was studied in a disease-oriented phase II trial in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The drug was given as a direct iv injection of 90 mg/m2 q 3 weeks. No objective response was observed in 52 evaluable patients with colon (n = 34) and rectal (n = 18) carcinoma. Fourteen patients (27%) had stable disease for a median of four treatment courses. Leukopenia (88%), nausea and vomiting (71%) and alopecia (54%) were the most common toxic effects.

We conclude that epirubicin at the present dose and schedule is an ineffective agent in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kemeny N, Golbey R: A chemotherapeutic approach to colorectal carcinoma. In MW Stearns JR. (ed): Neoplasms of the Colon, Rectum and Anus. John Wilex and Sons, New York, 1980, pp 155–168

    Google Scholar 

  2. Arcamone F, Penco S, Vigevani A, Redaelli S, Franchi G, Di Marco A, Casazza AM, Dasdia T, Formelli F, Necco A, Soranco C: Synthesis and antitumor properties of new glycosides of daunomycinone and adriamycinone. J Med Chem 18:703–707, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  3. Giuliani FC, Kaplan NO: New doxorubicin analogs active against doxorubicin-resistant colon tumor xenografts in the nude mouse. Cancer Res 40:4682–4687, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  4. Casazza AM, Di Marco A, Bertazzoli C, Formelli F, Giuliani F, Pratesi G: Antitumor activity, toxicity and pharmacological properties of 4′ -epiadriamycin. In W Siegenthaler and R Lüthy (s): Current Chemotherapy, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, USA, 1978, pp 1257–1260

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zbinden G, Brändle E: Toxicologic screening of daunorubicin (NSC-82151), adriamycin (NSC-123127) and their derivatives in rats. Cancer Chemother Rep 59:707–715, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  6. Casazza AM: Experimental evaluation of anthracycline analogs. Cancer Treat Rep 63:835–844, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  7. Broggini M, Colombo T, Martini A, Donelli MG: Studies on the comparative distribution of doxorubicin and 4′ -epidoxorubicin in mice and rats. Cancer Treat Rep 64:897–904, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  8. Villani FP, Favalli L, Piccinini F: Relationship between the effect on calcium turnover and early cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin and 4′ -epidoxorubicin in guinea pig heart muscle. Tumori 66:689–697, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  9. Natale N, Brambilla M, Luchini S, Martini A, Moro E, Paxxiarini MA, Vago G, Trabattoni A: 4 '-Epidoxorubicin and doxorubicin: toxicity and pharmakinetics in cancer patients. (Abstract) 12th Proc Internatl Congress Chemother, p. 114, 1981

  10. Bonfante V, Bonadonna G, Villani F, Di Fronzo G, Martini A, Casazza AM: Preliminary phase I study of 4′ -epiadriamycin. Cancer Treat Rep 63:915–918, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bonfante V, Bonadonna G, Villani F, Martini A: Preliminary clinical experience with 4 ′-epidoxorubicin in advanced human neoplasia. Recent Results Cancer Res 74: 192–199, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  12. WHO Handbook for Reporting Results of Cancer Treatment, Geneva WHO, 1979

  13. Ganzina F: 4′ -Epidoxorubicin, a new analogue of doxorubicin: a preliminry overview of preclinical and clinical data. Cancer Treat Rev 10:1–22, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  14. Michaelson R, Kemmeny N, Young Ch: Phase II evaluation of 4′ -epidoxorubicin in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Cancer Treat Rep 66:1757–1758, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bodey G, Yap BS, Ajani J, Aboud A, Yap HY, Estey E: Clinical trials of 4′ -epidoxorubicin. In Cavalli F and Lenzhofer R (eds): New Anthracyclines in the Chemotherapy of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies. Proc 13th Internatl Congress Chemother, 1983, pp 27–30

  16. Young CW, Wittes RE, Jain K, Casper ES: Clinical evaluation of 4′ -epidoxorubicin. In Cavalli F and Lenzhofer R (eds): New Anthracyclines in the Chemotherapy of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies. Proc 13th Internatl Congress Chemother, 1983, pp 17–20

  17. Frytak S, Moertel CG, Schutt AJ, Hahn RG, Reitemeier RJ: Adriamycin (NSC-123127) therapy for advanced gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Chemother Rep 59:405–409, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  18. Moertel CG, Schutt AJ, Hahn RG, Reitemerer RJ: Effects of patient selection on results of phase II chemotherapy trials in gastrointestinal cancer. Cancer Chemother Rep 58:257–259, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  19. Falkson G, Falkson HC, Vorobiof DA, Pretorius HL, Falkson CB: A phase II study of 4 t' -epidoxorubicin (IMI 28) in colorectal cancer. In Cavalli F and Lenzhofer R (eds): New Anthracyclines in the Chemotherapy of Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies. Proc 13th Internatl Congress Chemotherapy, 1983, pp 35–39

  20. Bonfante V, Villani F, Bonadonna G: Toxic and therapeutic activity of 4′ -epidoxorubicin. Tumori 68:105–111, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  21. Robustelli Delia Cuna G, Ganzina F, Tramarin R, Pavesi L: Phase II evaluation of 4′ -epidoxorubicin (Abstract), UICC Conference on Clinical Oncology, Lausanne (Switzerland), p. 45, 1981

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Eduard E. Holdener M.D.

  2. Finsen Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Heine H. Hansen

  3. Det Norske Radiumhospital, Oslo, Norway

    Hans Høst

  4. Klinikum Nürnberg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Uta Bruntsch

  5. Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland

    Franco Cavalli

  6. EORTC Data Center, Brussels, Belgium

    Josette Renard

  7. Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Herbert M. Pinedo

  8. Institute Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium

    Marcel Rozencweig

Authors
  1. Eduard E. Holdener M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heine H. Hansen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hans Høst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Uta Bruntsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Franco Cavalli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Josette Renard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Herbert M. Pinedo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Marcel Rozencweig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Holdener, E.E., Hansen, H.H., Høst, H. et al. Epirubicin in colorectal cancer. Invest New Drugs 3, 63–66 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176826

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176826

Key words

Search

Navigation