Phase II evaluation of 4'-epi-doxorubicin in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.

4'-Epi-doxorubicin (4'-epi-DX) is a new doxorubicin derivative that is more active than the parent compound against murine sarcoma virus tumors and Lewis lung carcinoma and may be less toxic. Thirty-five patients with advanced measureable colorectal carcinoma were treated with 4'-epi-DX (85 mg/m2) every 3 weeks. The major toxic effect was leukopenia less than 2000 cells/mm3 in 28% of the patients. One of 29 patients (3%) had a partial response. At this dose and schedule, 4'-epi-DX has minimal activity in colorectal carcinoma.