Phase I Clinical Trial of Recombinant Viscumin (rViscumin, rMistletoe Lectin, rML) Administered Twice Weekly By The Intravenous Route In Patients With Solid Tumors After Failure of Standard Therapy

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of mistletoe lectin (recombinant viscumin) in patients with advanced solid tumors who have failed standard therapy.
• Determine the pharmacokinetics of this regimen in these patients.
• Determine whether induction of antibodies against recombinant viscumin occurs in these patients.
• Determine whether immunological stimulation at the RNA level of immune cells occurs in patients treated with this regimen.
• Determine whether modification of endothelial parameters occurs in patients treated with this regimen.
• Determine the objective response rates in patients treated with this regimen.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.

Patients receive mistletoe lectin (recombinant viscumin) IV over 1 hour twice weekly. Courses repeat every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Cohorts of 1-3 patients receive escalating doses of recombinant viscumin until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose at which 20% of patients experience dose-limiting toxicity during the first course. Additional patients are treated at the MTD.