Background: This study assessed toxicity in advanced cancer patients treated in a phase I clinic that focuses on targeted agents.
Patients and methods: An analysis of database records of 1181 consecutive patients with advanced cancer who were treated in the phase I program starting 1 January 2006 was carried out.
Results: All patients were treated on at least 1 of the 82 phase I clinical trials. Overall, 56 trials (68.3%) had only targeted agents, 13 (15.9%) only cytotoxics, and 13 (15.9%) targeted and cytotoxic agents. Rates of grade 3 and 4 toxicity that were at least possibly drug related were 7.1% and 3.2%, respectively, and 5 of the 1181 patients (0.4%) died from toxicity that was at least possibly drug related. The most common grade 3 or more toxic effects were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, dehydration, infection, altered mental status, bleeding, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status greater than zero and use of a cytotoxic agent were selected as independent factors associated with serious toxicity.
Conclusion: Phase I trials of primarily targeted agents showed low rates of toxicity, with 10.3% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 toxicity and a 0.4% rate of death, at least possibly drug related.