A phase II study of 5-azacytidine given twice weekly as a rapid iv infusion was performed on 116 patients with different metastatic cancers or refractory lymphomas at a dose of 150 mg/m2 twice weekly x 6. Ninety-one patients were evaluable. Dose modifications were carried out depending on previous treatment status. Nausea and vomiting was a major side effect; significant granulocytopenia was observed in 35 patients. Responses were observed in only 4 patients. The results indicate little effectiveness of this drug. The severe toxicity prevented escalation to potentially more effective dose levels.
