A Phase II Trial of 9-Aminocamptothecin (NSC 603071) Administered as a 120-Hour Continuous Infusion in Patients With Previously Untreated Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the objective response rate of a 120 hour continuous infusion of aminocamptothecin (9-AC) in chemotherapy naive patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction. II. Characterize the nature of the toxicity of 9-AC on this schedule in this patient population. III. Determine the duration of response, time to progression, and survival of this patient population. IV. Study the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 9-AC on this schedule in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is an open label, multicenter study. Patients receive intravenous aminocamptothecin by continuous infusion over 120 hours on days 1-5 and 8-12 followed by 1 week of rest for a 3 week cycle. Therapy continues for a minimum of 6 weeks (2 full cycles) unless there are unacceptable toxic effects or rapid disease progression. Dose escalation may occur in patients who complete 3 cycles of therapy without unacceptable toxicity. All patients will be followed for survival.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: This study will accrue 14-40 patients within 18 months.