TOXIC AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF 4'-EPI-DOXORUBICIN

A Phase I-II study with 4''-epi-doxorubicin (epi-DX) was performed in 108 patients with various types of advanced malignancy. The pattern of acute toxicity was similar to that of doxorubicin (DX). Epi-DX was better tolerated than DX because of comparative lower incidence of vomiting, stomatitis, complete alopecia and severe mylosuppression. Cardiac toxicity was studied by utilizing noninvasive methods: The ECG results suggested a slightly lower cardiac damage after epi-DX compared to DX. Antitumor activity was documented in a variety of neoplasms: Objective response was also observed in those considered refractory to DX, such as malignant melanoma and renal cancer.