Phase I/IB study of polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid in patients with advanced malignancies: clinical and biologic effects

• Published in: Journal of interferon & cytokine research Vol. 16; no. 8; p. 631
• Main Authors: Witt, P L, Zahir, S, Ritch, P S, McAuliffe, T M, Ewel, C H, Borden, E C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1996
• Subjects: 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase - blood; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; beta 2-Microglobulin - analysis; Biopterins - analogs & derivatives; Biopterins - analysis; Cytokines - blood; Fatigue - chemically induced; Female; Fever - chemically induced; Humans; Hyperglycemia - chemically induced; Interferon Inducers - adverse effects; Interferon Inducers - pharmacology; Interferon Inducers - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Proteins - analysis; Neoplasms - blood; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - therapy; Neopterin; Poly A-U - adverse effects; Poly A-U - pharmacology; Poly A-U - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1079-9907
• DOI: 10.1089/jir.1996.16.631

The synthetic polynucleotide polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (polyA:polyU) has shown antitumor activity in murine studies and human breast cancer. PolyA:polyU was evaluated in 25 cancer patients receiving weekly intravenous doses between 3 and 600 mg/m2. PolyA:polyU was well tolerated up to 600 mg/m2, with no doselimiting toxicity (all < grade 3). Side effects included mild elevation in temperature, fatigue, and mild hyperglycemia. No changes outside of the normal range in hematocrit, WBC count, platelet count, total bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase were observed. Of 25 patients, 18 completed at least one cycle of 6 weeks, and 5 completed two cycles (median 6 weeks). Four patients had stable disease over 11-13 weeks of treatment, and no clinical responses were observed. At 24 h after the first treatment, there were no significant increases in biologic response (beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin in serum, or 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells). A small increase in beta 2-microglobulin was observed 24 h after the week 3 treatment (1.1-fold, p < 0.01). By the third week of treatment, 2-5A synthetase levels decreased slightly (to 80% of baseline, p < 0.01). No changes in cytokines IL-6, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or IL-2 receptor in serum were detected after 24 h of treatment. Thus, at these doses, polyA:polyU had no marked modulation on biologic responses in vivo, although this preparation significantly induced 2-5A synthetase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. PolyA:polyU was well tolerated. An MTD was not reached but was greater than 600 mg/m2 on this weekly schedule.