Phase II evaluation of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m--anisidine (AMSA) in patients with advanced head and neck cancers.

4-(9-Acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-anisidine (AMSA) was evaluated in 26 patients with advanced head and neck cancer in a phase II study. All patients were previously treated with one or combinations of the three modalities, namely, surgery, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy. Among the 23 evaluable patients, 2 achieved a partial response, 4 a minimal response, 9 with stable disease, and 8 with disease progression. Side effects were mainly granulocytopenia with mild GI symptoms. AMSA may have activity in recurrent squamous cell cancers of the head and neck and further evaluation in previously untreated patients or combination of AMSA with other chemotherapeutic agents should be considered.