Hexamethylmelamine (NSC-13875) alone and in combination with 5-(3, 3-dimethyl-triazeno) imidazole-4-carboxamide (NSC-45388) in the treatment of advanced cancer

Hexamethylmelamine (HMM) was administered by mouth to 115 patients; 108 were eligible for the study and were evaluated for toxicity, while 82 completed one 21-day course and were evaluated for response. Responses exceeding 50% in tumor reduction were observed in 1 of 41 evaluable patients (2%) with lung carcinoma and in 4 of 10 with squamous carcinoma of the cervix. HMM was also given in combination with NSC-45388 (ICDT) to 30 patients; 27 were eligible for the study and were evaluated for toxicity, while 25 completed one 21-day course and were evaluated for response. Responses exceeding 50% were obtained in 2 of 16 evaluable patients with melanoma and in none of 5 patients with lung carcinoma. Toxic effects of therapy included nausea and vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and both central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Further study of HMM in carcinoma of the cervix would be of interest. Further trial of combined HMM and ICDT was abandoned because of the nausea encountered.