A phase II study of adriamycin (NSC 123127) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from Zambia and the United States.

Nineteen Zambian and 22 American patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with Adriamycin every three weeks in intravenous doses ranging from 20-75 mg/m2 (depending upon their initial serum bilirubin levels). Four of 16 (25%) "good risk" Zambian and American patients who received 75 mg/m2 had objective responses, while in five additional patients there was evidence of either transient tumor regression or disease stabilization. In contrast three of 25 "poor risk" patients who received 20-60 mg/m2 had objective responses. Even in this latter group, however, transient, objective signs of tumor regression were noted in four patients. The results of the present study confirm previous reports suggesting anti-tumor activity for high doses of Adriamycin in hepatocellular carcinoma. Since those responses seen were generally incomplete and transient, further clinical trials of this agent used in combination or sequentially with other agents are indicated.