#1 Clinical Trials Search in Europe

Dacarbazine

Dacarbazine (DTIC) is a chemotherapy drug that has been studied extensively in clinical trials for the treatment of various cancers, particularly melanoma. This article summarizes key information about clinical trials investigating dacarbazine alone or in combination with other therapies for cancer patients.

Table of Contents

What is DACARBAZINE?

DACARBAZINE, also known as DTIC or DTIC-Dome, is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer[1]. It belongs to a class of medications called alkylating agents, which work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing[2]. DACARBAZINE has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of certain cancers, particularly melanoma (a type of skin cancer)[3].

How DACARBAZINE Works

DACARBAZINE is designed to cause cancer cell death by creating breaks in the DNA within the nucleus of cancer cells[2]. By damaging the genetic material of cancer cells, DACARBAZINE interferes with their ability to reproduce and spread. This mechanism of action helps to slow down or stop the growth of tumors in patients with certain types of cancer.

Conditions Treated with DACARBAZINE

DACARBAZINE is primarily used to treat the following conditions:

  • Metastatic Melanoma: This is an advanced form of skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. DACARBAZINE is often used as a standard treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma[3][4].
  • Hodgkin Lymphoma: DACARBAZINE may be used as part of a combination therapy for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system[5].
  • Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Some clinical trials have explored the use of DACARBAZINE in treating certain types of soft tissue sarcomas, which are cancers that develop in the body’s soft tissues[6].

How DACARBAZINE is Administered

DACARBAZINE is typically administered intravenously (through a vein) in a hospital or clinic setting. The dosage and frequency of treatment can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the patient’s individual factors. Some common administration methods include:

  • A dose of 850 mg/m² given by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes, repeated every 3 weeks[6].
  • A dose of 1000 mg/m² given intravenously every 3 weeks[3].
  • In some combination therapies, DACARBAZINE may be given at a dose of 375 mg/m² on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle[5].

It’s important to note that the exact dosing schedule will be determined by your healthcare provider based on your specific situation.

Potential Side Effects

Like all chemotherapy drugs, DACARBAZINE can cause side effects. Some of the most common side effects include:

  • Nausea and vomiting: This is a very common side effect, but modern anti-nausea medications can help manage this[6].
  • Bone marrow suppression: This can lead to a decrease in white blood cells (increasing the risk of infection), red blood cells (causing anemia), and platelets (increasing the risk of bleeding)[1].
  • Fatigue: Many patients experience tiredness during treatment.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Skin reactions: Some patients may experience rashes or increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Your healthcare team will monitor you closely for these and other potential side effects and can provide treatments to help manage them.

Ongoing Research and Combination Therapies

Researchers are continually studying DACARBAZINE to find ways to improve its effectiveness and reduce side effects. Some areas of ongoing research include:

  • Combination therapies: DACARBAZINE is being studied in combination with other drugs to potentially enhance its effectiveness. For example:
    • Combination with Sorafenib for soft tissue sarcomas[6].
    • Combination with immunotherapy drugs for melanoma[7].
    • Combination with Brentuximab Vedotin and other chemotherapy drugs for Hodgkin Lymphoma[5].
  • Comparing DACARBAZINE to newer treatments: Studies are comparing the effectiveness of DACARBAZINE to newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies for melanoma[3].
  • Improving side effect management: Researchers are exploring ways to better manage the side effects of DACARBAZINE, such as using growth factors to reduce the risk of low blood cell counts[1].

These ongoing studies aim to improve outcomes for patients and potentially expand the use of DACARBAZINE in cancer treatment.

Aspect Details
Main cancer type studied Melanoma (skin cancer)
Other cancers studied Soft tissue sarcomas, leiomyosarcoma
Common dosing 800-1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 3-4 weeks
Combination approaches With targeted therapies (e.g. sorafenib), immunotherapies, other chemotherapies
Key outcome measures Progression-free survival, overall survival, tumor response rate
Common side effects Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lowered blood cell counts
Trial phases Phase 1, 2, and 3 studies represented

FAQ

  • What is dacarbazine and how does it work? Dacarbazine (DTIC) is a chemotherapy drug that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die. It is designed to cause cancer cell death by creating DNA breaks in the nucleus of the cells.
  • What types of cancer is dacarbazine used to treat in clinical trials? Dacarbazine is most commonly studied for the treatment of melanoma (skin cancer) in clinical trials. It has also been investigated for other cancers like soft tissue sarcomas.
  • How is dacarbazine typically administered in clinical trials? In most trials, dacarbazine is given intravenously (through an IV) every 3-4 weeks. Common doses range from 800-1000 mg/m2 given once per treatment cycle.
  • What are some common side effects of dacarbazine? Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and lowered blood cell counts (which can increase risk of infection). Anti-nausea medications are often given to help manage side effects.
  • Is dacarbazine used alone or combined with other drugs in trials? Both approaches are studied. Some trials use dacarbazine alone, while others combine it with newer targeted therapies or immunotherapies to try to improve its effectiveness against cancer.

Ongoing Clinical Trials on Dacarbazine

  • Study Comparing Naporafenib and Trametinib Combination to Other Therapies for Patients with Previously Treated Unresectable or Metastatic NRAS Mutant Melanoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium Czechia Denmark France Germany Italy +4

  • Study on Reducing Side Effects in Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma Using Brentuximab Vedotin and Drug Combination for Newly Diagnosed Patients

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Austria Denmark Germany The Netherlands Norway Sweden

  • Study on Tebentafusp and Drug Combination for Patients with Advanced Uveal Melanoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium France Italy Poland Spain

  • Study on Dacarbazine, Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, and Ipilimumab for Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Resistant to Immunotherapy

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Germany

  • Study Comparing Brentuximab Vedotin with Drug Combination for Treating Advanced Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma in Patients

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Belgium Czechia Denmark France Hungary Italy +3

  • Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of L19TNF and Dacarbazine for Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Soft-Tissue Sarcoma After Previous Treatments

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated diseases:
    Investigated drugs:
    France Germany Italy Poland Spain

  • Study of Brentuximab Vedotin, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, and Dacarbazine for Patients with Untreated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Czechia Italy Poland Spain

  • Study of Pembrolizumab with Chemotherapy for Children and Young Adults with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Not Responding Well to Initial Treatment

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Czechia France Germany Greece Italy The Netherlands +2

  • Study of Tislelizumab, Dacarbazine, Vinblastine Sulfate, and Doxorubicin Hydrochloride for Adults with Early-Stage Unfavorable Hodgkin Lymphoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    Germany

  • Study of Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

    Not recruiting

    1 1 1
    Investigated drugs:
    France Italy Poland Spain

Glossary

  • Dacarbazine (DTIC): A chemotherapy drug that works by damaging cancer cell DNA. It is approved for treating melanoma and is being studied for other cancers.
  • Melanoma: A type of skin cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. It is one of the main cancers dacarbazine is used to treat.
  • Intravenous (IV): Administration of a drug directly into a vein through a needle or tube.
  • Treatment cycle: A period of treatment followed by a period of rest. Cycles are repeated at regular intervals in many cancer treatments.
  • Metastatic: Cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.
  • RECIST criteria: Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors – a standard way to measure how well a cancer patient responds to treatment.
  • Progression-free survival (PFS): The length of time during and after treatment that a patient lives without the cancer progressing.
  • Overall survival (OS): The length of time from the start of treatment that patients are still alive.
  • Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT): Side effects severe enough to prevent further dose increases of a drug in a clinical trial.
  • Maximum tolerated dose (MTD): The highest dose of a drug that can be given without causing unacceptable side effects.

References

  1. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00597038
  2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00412581
  3. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01227889
  4. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00864253
  5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01868451
  6. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00837148
  7. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04225390