A phase i study of emetine hydrochloride (nsc 33669) in solid tumors

A Phase I clinical trial of emetine hydrochloride (NSC-33669) in adults with solid tumors was conducted using two time schedules: a. a single subcutaneous dose daily for 10 days, and b. a single subcutaneous injection every 4 days (q4d) for 10 doses. Thirty-two patients were treated on the daily schedule with doses ranging from 1.0–2.0 mg/kg/day, and nine patients were treated in the q4d schedule with doses ranging from 1.2–2.2 mg/kg/dose. Toxicity was similar in both groups and consisted of pain at the injection site, muscle weakness and myalgia, elevations in creatine phosphokinase, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Muscle weakness was the dose-limiting toxicity. The maximum tolerable total dose was 10 mg/kg. No response was noted in 16 patients evaluated.