Treosulfan in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Treosulfan is a bifunctional alkylating cytostatic agent that has mainly been used in the therapy of advanced ovarian cancer. Lately, a growth inhibiting effect could be detected in human renal cell carcinoma-cell lines as well. In vitro, Treosulfan showed an even higher growth inhibition than Vinblastine.

Materials And Methods: We performed a small clinical phase II study using Treosulfan as a monotherapy in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Treosulfan was given to 15 patients with bidimensionally measurable metastases.

Results: 10 patients were evaluable. Side effects were negligeable. A complete or even partial remission was not seen. 4 patients showed no change, whereas 6 were progressive. The average time to progress was short (4 months, range 1 to 12 months).

Conclusions: Since Treosulfan did not lead to a measurable tumor remission in the given dose regimen, it does not seem to be suitable for the therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.