Suramin and hydrocortisone: Determining drug efficacy in androgen-independent prostate cancer Journal Article


Authors: Kelly, W. K.; Scher, H. I.; Mazumdar, M.; Pfister, D.; Curley, T.; Leibertz, C.; Cohen, L.; Vlamis, V.; Dnistrian, A.; Schwartz, M.
Article Title: Suramin and hydrocortisone: Determining drug efficacy in androgen-independent prostate cancer
Abstract: Purpose: The combination of suramin and hydrocortisone has shown clinical benefit in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. Widespread use was limited by the complex dose schedules and the need for pharmacologic monitoring. This study reports three sequential pharmacokinetically derived treatment regimens that simplified the administration of suramin and hydrocortisone with reduced toxicity. Patients and Methods: Three cohorts of patients with advanced prostate cancer that progressed despite castrate levels of testosterone received oral hydrocortisone plus suramin administered in the following manners: (1) a loading dose of suramin followed by a continuous infusion using an adaptive control program (cohort A); (2) an intermittent schedule using a simplified adaptive control schedule (cohort B); and (3) an empiric dosing regimen (cohort C). Drug concentrations were monitored along with the toxicities associated with each regimen. Efficacy was assessed using measurable-disease criteria, radionuclide scans, and posttherapy changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Results: Fifty-six patients were treated and plasma suramin concentrations were similar for each regimen. A partial response was observed in 4% (one of 28; 95% confidence interval, 0% to 18.4%) of patients with measurable disease, while 12% (six of 50; 95% confidence interval, 4.5% to 24.3%) had a greater than 80% decline in the baseline PSA level. The median duration of response was 12 months. No responses on radionuclide scans were seen. Anemia and lymphocytopenia were the most common toxicities, while 7% of patients developed a sensory or motor neurotoxicity. In the sequential regimens, the frequency of renal insufficiency (P = .04) and coagulopathy (P < .0001) decreased, while transaminase elevations (P = .05) were more common using intermittent infusions (cohorts B and C) versus continuous infusion schedules (cohort A). Conclusion: The administration of suramin was simplified and the drug concentrations were maintained. In this cohort of patients with advanced prostate cancer, the clinical activity of suramin using these dosing schedules was limited. Pharmacodynamic issues, patient selection, and criteria to assess efficacy could have effected the clinical outcome. © 1995 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Keywords: adult; aged; aged, 80 and over; major clinical study; clinical trial; drug efficacy; neurotoxicity; prostate specific antigen; liver toxicity; cohort studies; anemia; drug administration schedule; kidney failure; fever; hyperglycemia; lymphocytopenia; prostate cancer; rash; prostatic neoplasms; drug distribution; drug therapy, combination; remission induction; fibrosing alveolitis; drug monitoring; drug blood level; flutamide; hydrocortisone; aminotransferase; blood clotting disorder; infusions, intravenous; heart atrium fibrillation; testosterone; lymphopenia; suramin; intravenous drug administration; oral drug administration; vitamin k group; middle age; human; male; priority journal; article; adaptation, physiological; support, non-u.s. gov't; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 1995-09-01
Start Page: 2214
End Page: 2222
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jco.1995.13.9.2214
PUBMED: 7666079
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 28 August 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. William K Kelly
    115 Kelly
  2. Madhu Mazumdar
    127 Mazumdar
  3. David G Pfister
    389 Pfister
  4. Howard Scher
    1130 Scher
  5. Morton Schwartz
    186 Schwartz
  6. Vaia   Vlamis
    38 Vlamis