Evaluation of homoharringtonine efficacy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase II Illinois Cancer Council Study.

Eighteen patients entered this study of the efficacy of homoharringtonine (HHT) treatment in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Seventeen eligible patients received at least one day of the first 5-day cycle of HHT (4.0 mg/m2/day) by continuous IV infusion. Cycles were scheduled to repeat every 28 days. The major severe toxicities encountered were hypotension and myelosuppression. There was one drug-related death. Fourteen patients were evaluable for response, and no patient exhibited an objective response to treatment with HHT.