Hexamethylmelamine and pentamethylmelamine: an update

Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy
D A Hahn

Abstract

An updated review of the anticancer agents hexamethylmelamine (HMM) and its water-soluble analog pentamethylmelamine (PMM) is presented. Severe gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity have limited the use of HMM drug combinations in ovarian cancer. Combinations involving HMM, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and doxorubicin in advanced ovarian cancer have resulted in only moderate response rates, with little to no change in median survival of previously treated patients. HMM now is being studied in previously untreated patients with advanced disease, in combination with these agents. In lung cancer, HMM continues to be a part of intensive and other regimens for the treatment of small-cell and non-small-cell carcinoma, although the value of the HMM is yet to be determined. Future trials have been recommended to determine whether HMM has a role in the treatment of endometrial and prostatic carcinomas. Five phase I studies of PMM have demonstrated severe, dose-limiting gastrointestinal and central nervous system toxicities. Thus, this agent may offer little advantage over HMM. Further phase I studies, with different PMM dosage schedules, are necessary before phase II studies can be recommended.

References

Mar 1, 1977·Gynecologic Oncology·C R StanhopeF Rutledge
Jan 1, 1977·Medical and Pediatric Oncology·E C BordenW L Wilson
Dec 1, 1978·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·G BolisC Mangioni
Jan 1, 1967·Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics·J LouisS O Schwartz
Jan 1, 1969·Cancer·W L WilsonR P Hummel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 1, 1991·DICP : the Annals of Pharmacotherapy·L A Hansen, T E Hughes

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.