A phase I study of a new polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, SAM486A, in cancer patients with solid tumours.

Because tumour cell proliferation is highly dependent upon up-regulation of de-novo polyamine synthesis, inhibition of the polyamine synthesis pathway represents a potential target for anticancer therapy. SAM486A (CGP 48664) is a new inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), more potent and specific than the first-generation SAMDC inhibitor methylglyoxal (bis) guanylhydrazone (MGBG). Preclinical testing confirmed promising antiproliferative activity.

Efficacy and tolerability of a new estradiol delivering matrix patch (Estraderm MX) in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and tolerability of a new matrix patch delivering estradiol (E2 Matrix) at doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg per day (Estraderm MX 50, 100) in the treatment of moderate to severe postmenopausal symptoms.

Tolerability and activity of a new recombinant interferon-alpha B/D hybrid in patients with HIV-1 infection.

The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity profile of a new recombinant interferon-alpha B/D hybrid (IFN-alpha B/D) in HlV-1-infected patients were determined in an outpatient, dose-escalating study with dose groups of three patients: 16, 32, 48, 64, 96 and 112 million international units (MIU) three times weekly subcutaneously during 12 weeks. The MTD was the last dose level just below the dose level at which more than one patient experienced > or = grade 3 toxicity. The study also searched for preliminary evidence of efficacy of IFN-alpha B/D.