Response of nude mouse-grown adenocarcinomas of the human exocrine pancreas to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), diammine[1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato(2-)-O,O'-platinum], and mitoguazone dihydrochloride.

The effect of cisplatin, carboplatin, and mitoguazone dihydrochloride on pancreatic cancer was evaluated using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas Capan-1, Capan-2, and PR54 grown in the nude mouse. In single agent treatments, cisplatin, given in the amount of 5 mg/kg once/week for 4 consecutive weeks, was most effective, resulting in tumor regression, growth arrest, and a growth delay period of 6 and 4 months for tumors Capan-1 and PR54, respectively. Treatment with carboplatin was less effective, with a tumor response related to treatment schedule. For the same amount of total dose of carboplatin administered, best results were obtained when treatment was given 3 times weekly instead of in single weekly injections. Mitoguazone dihydrochloride exhibited no antitumor effect. The results of the present work may be of significance in the management of pancreatic cancer patients.