Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Current therapies for Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin provide very limited benefit to the patient. The anti-cancer properties of Antineoplaston therapy suggest that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin. PURPOSE: This study is being performed to determine the effects (good and bad) that Antineoplaston therapy has on patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin.

Detailed Description
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Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin patients receive gradually escalating doses of intravenous Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. Treatment continues up to 12 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of Antineoplaston therapy in patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin, as measured by an objective response to therapy (complete response, partial response or stable disease). To determine the safety and tolerance of Antineoplaston therapy in patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin. To determine objective response, tumor size is measured utilizing MRI scans, which are performed every 8 weeks for the first two years, every 3 months for the third and fourth years, every 6 months for the 5th and sixth years, and annually thereafter.

Official Title
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Phase II Study of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 In Patients With Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary

Conditions
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Unknown Primary Carcinoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of unknown primary that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy Evidence of tumor by MRI, CT scan, chest x-ray, or radionuclide scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 6 months and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic: No hepatic insufficiency Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: No renal insufficiency Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation No active infection No nonmalignant systemic disease Not a high medical or psychiatric risk PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: Prior cytodifferentiating agents allowed No prior antineoplastons No other concurrent antineoplastic agents

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Months
Maximum Age: 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Antineoplaston therapy<br>Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal) by IV infusion every four hours for at least 12 months. Study subjects receive increasing dosages of Atengenal and Astugenal until the maximum tolerated dose is reached. | Drug: Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal)<br>* Patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary Origin will receive Antineoplaston therapy (Atengenal + Astugenal). The daily doses of A10 and AS2-1 are divided into six infusions, which are given at 4-hourly intervals. Each infusion starts with infusion of A10 and is immediately followed by infusion of AS2-1.<br>* Other names: A10 (Atengenal); AS2-1 (Astugenal)ANP;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants With Objective Response or Stable Disease | Objective response rate per The International Working Group response criteria (1999): Complete Response (CR), disappearance of all disease sustained for at least four weeks; Partial Response (PR), >=50% decrease in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable lesions, sustained for at least four weeks. Stable Disease (SD), < 50% change in the sum of the products of of the greatest perpendicular diameters of all measurable lesions, sustained for at least twelve weeks. | 5 months |