A phase I clinical trial of 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate for patients with relapsed/refractory malignancies.

Phorbol esters activate protein kinase C and modulate a variety of downstream cell signaling pathways. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a phorbol ester that induces differentiation or apoptosis in a variety of cell lines at low concentrations. A phase I dose escalation trial of TPA was undertaken for patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies.

Administration of a phorbol ester to patients with hematological malignancies: preliminary results from a phase I clinical trial of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Purpose: Phorbol esters are capable of inducing a broad range of cellular effects,including the maturation/differentiation of hematopoietic cell lines (E. Huberman and M. F.