Streptozotocin in the treatment of cancer: Phase II study

Streptozotocin (NSC-85998) was administered to 53 patients at a dose of 1 to 2 g/m2 weekly. Response to therapy could be evaluated in 39 patients. Responses exceeding 50% in magnitude of tumor reduction were noted in three patients; responses of 25–50% were noted in an additional four patients. Responses were noted in two of four patients with islet cell carcinoma, one of four patients with malignant carcinoid, one of two patients with carcinoma of the lung, one of two patients with squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity, one patient with synovial sarcoma, and one patient with adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder. Renal toxicity was manifested by azotemia in 21 patients and by proteinuria in 28 patients. Elevation of serum glucose occurred in seven patients, but clinical diabetes did not develop. Nausea and vomiting occurred in 40 patients. Hematologic toxicity was noted in four patients.