Clinical Evaluation of 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-1-Triazeno) Imidazole-4-Carboxamide in Malignant Melanoma and Other Neoplasms: Comparison of Twice-weekly and Daily Administration Schedules

Abstract

Thirty-one patients with malignant melanoma and 22 patients with other neoplasms were treated with intravenous 5-(3,3-dimethyl-triazeno) imidazole-4-carboxamide (DIC), utilizing 2 different regimens: a 5-day daily schedule of 150 to 300 mg/M²/day of DIC repeated every 14 days, or 350 to 450 mg/M² given twice weekly. Ten objective responses were seen, including 6 (24%) with melanoma. Toxicity consisted mainly of vomiting and bone marrow depression. Since the twice-weekly regimen appeared to be less toxic than and equally effective as the daily protocol, we conclude that a twice-weekly schedule of DIC should be further explored in the therapy of melanoma and other solid tumors.