Anvirzel / oleander based chemo

jwb said:

Using Anvirzel or any other oleander based chemo presently? If so, what's your experience so far?

asco.org1,1003, 12 002489 00 18 002003 00 19 00104209,00.aspOpen ↗

. Phase I Study of AnvirzelTM in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors.
Year: 2001 Abstract No: 2077 First Author: Tarek Mekhail

Abstract: Background: AnvirzelTM, an extract of the plant Nerium oleander, is toxic to human (BRO
melanoma) cell lines by inducing a block in the G2/M phase the of cell cycle. Anecdotal reports from
Europe of partial and complete remissions and symptomatic improvement in patients (pts) with
advanced malignancy prompted formal evaluation of this novel agent. Objectives: To determine maximum
tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of AnvirzelTM in advanced refractory solid
tumor pts. Methods: pts were randomized (3 in each group) to receive AnvirzelTM by intramuscular
injection at 3 dose levels, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 ml/m2/day (d) for 3 weeks (1 cycle). If no toxicity >
Grade (Gr) 2 was noted, treatment was continued for up to 8 cycles. If no Gr 3 toxicity developed,
the dose was to be escalated to 0.8 and 1.2 ml/m2/d or until MTD. Patients were evaluated after each
cycle. Noncompartmental analysis was used for PK studies. Results: 18 eligible pts were enrolled, 3
pts at dose levels of 0.1, 0.2, .4 ml/m2/d, 6 pts at 0.8, and 3 at 1.2 ml/m2/d. All pts completed at
least one treatment cycle. A median of 3 cycles (range 1-8) were administered. Three pts (2 renal
cell and 1 thyroid cancer) completed 8 cycles and had stable disease. One pt remains on study. No
complete or partial responses were noted.

nursingceu.comherbsacOpen ↗ Pennyroyal oil (Mentha pulegium) has been widely
used as an abortifacient. Containing the toxin pulegone, it has been associated with liver failure
and death. Oleander leaf (Nerium oleander) and Ch'an su (dried dermal secretions of the Bufo toad)
both contain cardiac glycosides and users can present with typical signs of digoxin toxicity.
Digoxin specific Fab (Digibind) has been successfully used in the management of this group of
toxins. (3)

J