Abstract
Lovastatin, an inhibitor of mevalonate synthesis,demonstrated in vitro antitumor activity against avariety of human cancer cells, especially in gastricadenocarcinoma cells at pharmacologically achievableconcentrations. To determine the antitumor activity of thisdrug in advanced measurable gastric adenocarcinoma as well asto assess the toxicities and the pharmacokinetic features, wecarried out a phase II study of high-dose lovastatin. Patientsreceived lovastatin 35 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days, withubiquinone (60 mg qid po) to prevent rhabdomyolysis. Thetreatment was repeated every 28 days. From March 1996 toJanuary 1997, 16 patients (median age, 57 years; range,34–68) were entered into the study, 14 of whom wereevaluated for response and toxicity. No patient achieved aresponse. A total of 28 cycles were administered. The mediannumber of cycles was 2 (range, 1 to 4). Anorexia was the mostcommon toxicity (64%), but decreased oral intake wasobserved only in 3 cycles. Two patients developed myalgia withelevated muscle enzyme. When used in this dosage and schedule,lovastatin does not appear to be effective for patients withadvanced gastric adenocarcinoma.
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Kim, W.S., Kim, M.M., Choi, H.J. et al. Phase II Study of High-Dose Lovastatin in Patients with Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Invest New Drugs 19, 81–83 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006481423298
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006481423298