Hexamethylmelamine-A new drug with activity in solid tumors

Hexamethylmelamine (NSC 13875) is a iriazine that has completed phase I-II trials under the sponsorship of the Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute. It was selected for clinical trial based on superior activity against the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma. In the clinical trials reported, the dose schedules used were 4-15 mg/kd/d for 21-90 days. Dose limiting toxicity was gastrointestinal. Also seen were leukopenia, thrombocylopenia, and central nervous system toxicity. The overall response rate in 784 evaluable patients was 17%. Greater than 20% response rates were seen in the following tumor types: small cell (oat) carcinoma of the lung, ovarian adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Further controlled clinical trials in certain tumor types are warranted.