Stage IV Colon Cancer, Recurrent Colon Cancer, Adenocarcinoma of the Colon
Conditions
Brief summary
RATIONALE: Antineoplastons are naturally occurring substances that may also be made in the laboratory. Antineoplastons may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well antineoplaston therapy works in treating patients with colon cancer.
Detailed description
OBJECTIVES: * Determine the antitumor activity of antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 in patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon by determining the proportion of patients who experience an objective tumor response. * Evaluate the adverse effects of and tolerance to this regimen in these patients. OUTLINE: This is an open-label study. Patients receive gradually escalating doses of oral antineoplaston A10 and oral antineoplaston AS2-1 6-7 times a day. If the patient has not achieved a partial or complete response after 3-4 months of treatment, the investigator may discontinue treatment. Patients with stable disease may continue to receive treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity is observed. Tumors are measured every 4 months during the first 2 years, then every 6 months during years 3 and 4, and yearly during years 5 and 6. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-40 patients will be accrued for this study.
Interventions
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy and for which no curative therapy exists * Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan * Metastatic or unresectable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 2 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 50,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal * No hepatic failure Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL * No renal failure Cardiovascular: * No chronic heart failure * No uncontrolled hypertension Pulmonary: * No serious lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation * No active infection * No serious malabsorption syndromes * No other serious concurrent disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: * Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: * At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered (patients with multiple tumors may be admitted earlier) Surgery: * No prior extensive stomach or intestinal surgery Other: * Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed * No prior antineoplaston therapy * No other concurrent anticancer therapy
Countries
United States