Summary
Esorubicin (4′-deoxydoxorubicin or DxDx) is an analog of doxorubicin with preclinical antitumor activity and no significant cardiotoxicity in model systems. Eleven patients with small cell lung cancer who had previously received chemotherapy were given esorubicin (25 mg/m2 intravenously) every 3 weeks. No major objective responses were observed (95% confidence limits: 0–25%). Nine of the 11 patients had grade 2 or greater toxicity, with 55% of the patients experiencing grade 3 or greater toxicity [myelosuppression (4/11), anemia (2/11) or elevated liver enzymes (3/11)]. Nausea, vomiting, alopecia and intravenous site phlebitis were also seen. Three of the 11 patients received 3 or more course of esorubicin without evidence of significant cardiotoxicity. At this dose and shedule, no significant antitumor response were seen in this population of patients. Esorubicin, with this low response rate and significant toxicity, appears to be of limited utility in this disease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arcamone F, Penco S, Redaeli S: Synthesis and antitumor activity of 4′-deoxydoxorubicin and 4′deoxyadriamycin. J Med Chem 19:1424–25, 1980
Casazza AM: Effects of modifications in position 4 of the chromophore or in position 4′ of the aminosugar on the antitumor activity and toxicity of daunorubicin and doxorubicin. In (Crooke ST, and Reich SD, eds) Anthracyclines: Current Status and New Developments. New York, Academic Press, 1980; pp 403–430
DiMarco A, Casazza AM, Dasdia T, Necco A, Pratesi G, Rivolta P, Velchich A, Zaccara A, Zunino F: Changes of activity of daunorubicin, Adriamycin and sterioisomers following the introduction or removal of hydroxyl groups in the amino sugar moiety. Chem-Biol Interactions 19:291–302, 1977
Casazza AM: Experimental evaluation of anthracycline analogs. Cancer Treatment Reports 63:835–844, 1979
Stanton GF, Wittes RE, Raymond V, Schulman P, Budman D, Baratz R, Williams L, Petroni G, Geller NL, Hancock C, Dreis W, Young CW: Phase I and clinical pharmacological evaluation of 4′-deoxydoxorubicin in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer Res 45:1862–1868, 1985
Giaccone G, Donadio M, Bonardi G, Bagatella M, Calciati A: 4′-Doxorubicin, an inactive drug in small cell lung cancer. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 23:1407–1408, 1987
Einhorn LH: Small cell lung cancer: summary In (Gralla RJ and Einhorn LH, eds) Treatment and Prevention of Small Cell Lung Cancer. London and New York, Royal Society of Medicine Services Limited. 1989; pp 69–71
Diehl LF, Banks A, Carter W, Klein MA, Muss HB, Weiss RB: Fatal esorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy: report of a case and review of the literature. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 21:347–350, 1988
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rigas, J.R., Kris, M.G., Gralla, R.J. et al. Phase II trial of esorubicin (4′deoxydoxorubicin, DxDx) in patients with small cell lung cancer. Invest New Drugs 9, 187–190 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175087
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175087