Phase II clinical trials of BCNU (NSC 409962) and bleomcyin (NSC 125066) in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma

Phase II clinical trials of 1,3 bis 2 chloroethyl 1 nitrosourea (BCNU) and bleomycin were done in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. Objective antitumor responses were seen in 9 of 21 patients (43%) treated with BCNU and 6 of 10 (60%) treated with bleomycin. Responses to BCNU were more complete and durable than the responses to bleomycin. BCNU toxic effects at dose levels of 200 mg/m ² (repeated every 6-8 wk) were tolerable; however, there was one drug related death in a patient who received higher dose levels. Bleomycin given at a total dose of 300 mg over a 1 mth period was well tolerated; however, one patient treated with 600 mg died of pulmonary fibrosis. Several agents, including BCNU, bleomycin, 5 3,3 dimethyl 1 triazeno imidazole 4 carboxamide, vincristine, and actinomycin D, have now been shown to be effective against Kaposi's sarcoma. It is hoped that various combinations of these agents can be used to obtain more complete control of this disease in Uganda where radiation therapy is not yet available.