Pirarubicin is a more lipophilic derivative of doxorubicin, with a higher uptake rate of cells, lower cardiotoxicity and better antitumor efficacy in preclinical models. Thirty-four patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated in a multicenter phase II study with pirarubicin (THP) using a dosage of 75 mg/m2/every 3 weeks. The patients had a median age of 56 years (range 41–73) and a performance status of WHO grade 0–2. Patients pretreated with anthracycli-nes, or who were older than 75 years and without sufficient bone marrow reserve were excluded. The 32 evaluable patients received a median number of 4 cycles (range 2–8). The myelosuppression was dose-limiting and led to infections (grades 1 and 2) in 5 patients. Twenty-eight patients developed leukocytopenia grade 3 and 4 toxicity and 7 patients experienced thrombocytopenia grade 1 and 2. The drug was subjectively well tolerated and nausea, vomiting and alopecia were mild. One complete remission with a duration of 15.4 months (67 weeks) and 7 partial remissions with a median duration of 9.3 months (40 weeks) were achieved, which resulted in an overall response rate of 25 %. Twenty-one patients were stable for 17 weeks (median) under the treatment with pirarubicin.

Keywords:
Pirarubicin, Doxorubicin derivative, Myelosuppression, Anti-tumor activity, Breast cancer
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel
1990
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.