Phase I studies with Baker's Antifol (BAF) (NSC 139105).

Phase I studies were conducted in 58 adult cancer patients with Baker's Antifol (BAF), a new active-site directed inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase. Dose escalation ranged from 10 to 250 mg/m2/day X 5 days and courses of treatment were repeated every 2-3 weeks. Biologic effects were observed mostly at doses greater than 100 mg/m2/day X 5 days. The patients developed myelosuppression during 19% of the trials. Other types of toxicity were dermatitis in 12 to 30% and stomatitis in 7 to 38% of the trials. Toxicity was directly related to the impairment of the patient's liver function. Two partial responses (in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lung and a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder) occurred. BAF is an active new chemotherapeutic agent which deserves further clinical trials in patients with various malignancies.