R. Ramanathan, A. Cnaan, R. Hahn
Aug 1, 2001
Citations
4
Influential Citations
168
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
Abstract
BACKGROUND A phase II study of dacarbazine (DTIC), was conducted to determine the response rate, duration of response, toxicity and overall survival of patients with advanced pancreatic islet cell tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty patients with advanced pancreatic islet cell tumors, having progressive symptoms or evidence of rapidly advancing disease were entered on this study. DTIC was given by IV infusion at a dose of 850 mg/m2, over 60-90 minutes, repeated every four weeks. RESULTS The response rate was 33% in 42 patients who had measurable tumor, and 34% in the 50 patients (90% confidence interval (90% CI): 23%-47%). The majority of the responses were seen in patients without prior chemotherapy. Median overall survival was 19.3 months. There were two lethal toxicities on the study, one septic shock and one myocardial infarction. Grade 4 toxicities were, hematological (5 patients), sepsis, neurological (depression and paranoid behavior) and bleeding (1 patient each). The most common toxicity was vomiting, grade 3 in 13% of patients. CONCLUSIONS DTIC has activity in advanced previously untreated pancreatic islet cell tumors.