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Homoharringtonine: a phase I evaluation

  • Phase I and II Clinical Trials
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Summary

Homoharringtonine is one of several Cephalotaxine esters which have shown experimental antineoplastic activity as well as anti-leukemia effects in patients in China. In a Phase I trial of homoharringtonine administered daily × 5 by bolus intravenous injection, the dose limiting toxicity was hypotension and the maximum tolerated dose was 3.5 mg/m2/d × 5. Evidence of drug induced cardiac irritability with resulting ventricular and atrial dysrhythmias was seen. Minimal myelosuppression was seen at this dose. Treatment of patients by 5 day continuous intravenous (rather than bolus) infusion resulted in more pronounced myelosuppression and clinically significant but tolerable hypotension. Significant reduction of white blood cell and platelet counts occurred at a dose of 3.5 mg/m2/day. Further investigations of the hypotensive and cardiac effects of homoharringtonine and Phase II trials using continuous infusion are indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Regional Cancer Center, University of Vermont, 05401, Burlington, VT, USA

    James A. Stewart & Irwin H. Krakoff

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  1. James A. Stewart
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  2. Irwin H. Krakoff
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Stewart, J.A., Krakoff, I.H. Homoharringtonine: a phase I evaluation. Invest New Drugs 3, 279–286 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179432

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179432

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