Lucanthone as a radiosensitizing agent in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix

A group of 12 patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the cervix, clinical Stages II and III, was studied intensively. Standard techniques of radiation therapy were employed, and, by randomization, approximately half of the patients concomitantly received lucanthone (Miracil D) as a potential radiosensitizing agent. The lucanthone was tolerated moderately well by the patients; no severe or significant side effects prevented the patients from receiving adequate doses of the drug. The local cancer control rates both in the lucanthone-treated group and the control group were excellent; only one failure occurred in each group, being clinical Stage III B in both cases. However, the incidence and severity of local long-term complications, involving both the bladder and gastrointestinal tract, were definitely greater in the patients that received lucanthone. These observations indicate the need for further investigation of: (1) the proper dosages when radiation is given in conjunction with lucanthone, without compromising the curative radiation effect on the carcinoma; (2) the effect of varying doses of lucanthone on both normal tissues and organs, and on malignant tumors; and (3) the combined effect of both treatment modalities in a greater variety of target organs and malignant tumors