A phase II trial of weekly intravenous ranpirnase (Onconase), a novel ribonuclease in patients with metastatic kidney cancer.

Ranpirnase (Onconase) is the first ribonuclease to enter cancer clinical trials. In prior phase II trials, responses were seen in mesothelioma and other solid tumors. This phase II trial tested ranpirnase (480 microg/m2/w) in 14 patients with refractory advanced renal cell cancer. The median performance status was zero and the median age was 55. All patients had prior immunotherapy and three had prior chemotherapy. No responses were seen in 14 patients. The median survival from on study was 16 months (range two to 28 months). At this dose and schedule ranpirnase has minimal activity in metastatic renal cell cancer.