Protein kinase C (PKC) has a critical role in several signal transduction pathways, and is involved in renal cancer pathogenesis. Bryostatin-1 modulates PKC activity and has antitumour effects in preclinical studies. We conducted a... more
Protein kinase C (PKC) has a critical role in several signal transduction pathways, and is involved in renal cancer pathogenesis. Bryostatin-1 modulates PKC activity and has antitumour effects in preclinical studies. We conducted a multicentre phase II clinical trial in patients with advanced renal cancer to determine the response rate, immunomodulatory activity and toxicity of bryostatin-1 given as a continuous 24 h infusion weekly for 3 out of 4 weeks at a dose of 25 mug m(-2). In all, 16 patients were recruited (11 males and five females). The median age was 59 years (range 44-68). Patients had been treated previously with nephrectomy (8) and/or interferon therapy (9) and/or hormone therapy (4) and/or radiotherapy (6). Eight, five and three patients had performance statuses of 0, 1 and 2, respectively. A total of 181 infusions were administered with a median of 12 infusions per patient (range 1-29). Disease response was evaluable in 13 patients. Three patients achieved stable dis...
