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Phase I Clinical and Pharmacokinetic Study of Trimetrexate Using a Daily x5 Schedule¹

Department of Medicine [J. A. S., J. D. R., A. B.], and Department of Pharmacology [J. A. S., J. J. M., W. T.], Vermont Regional Cancer Center [J. A. S., J. J. M., J. B. L.] and Department of Mathematics and Statistics [L. D. H.], University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05401; and Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis, Pharmaceutical Research Division [L. R. W., W. R. G., A. J. G. L., R. J. D.], Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105

Trimetrexate (TMQ; NSC 352122) is a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase with good activity against murine i.p.-implanted B16 melanoma and colon 26 tumors. Preclinical antineoplastic activity, demonstrated schedule dependency, and data suggesting effectiveness against methotrexate-resistant cells prompted a Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic study of trimetrexate using an i.v. daily x5 schedule. Forty-three good performance status patients were treated with 12 dose levels using daily doses varying from 0.5 to 15 mg/m²/d. Plasma and urine samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method.

Myelosuppression was dose limiting and 15 mg/m²/d x5 was the maximum tolerated dose. White blood cell (WBC) and platelet toxicity were noted at doses of 1.6 mg/m² and above. Median WBC and platelet nadirs occurred on approximately Days 11–12 with recovery by Days 15–18. Nonhematological toxicity included mucositis, nausea and vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhea, and rash. Evidence for antitumor activity was seen in seven patients. Trimetrexate elimination from plasma could be represented as either a bi- or triexponential process. Terminal elimination half-lives were in the range of 5–14 h in patients represented by a triexponential model. Approximately 10–20% of the dose administered was excreted in urine over a 24-h period.

The recommended starting dose for patients in Phase II trials using the d x5 i.v. schedule is 8.0 mg/m²/d repeated every 21 days. Dose escalations may be possible depending on the extent of prior therapy and individual tolerance of the drug.

¹ Supported by Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research Division; General Clinical Research Center (RR-109), University of Vermont/Medical Center Hospital of Vermont; and Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization, Inc., Hudson Falls, NY.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Vermont Regional Cancer Center, One South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401.

Received 9/ 2/87. Revised 1/27/88. Revised 5/23/88. Accepted 5/31/88.

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