[Clinical effects of NK 631 (pepleomycin) against malignant tumors of the head and neck (author's transl)].

1. The antitumor effect of pepleomycin observed in 11 cases of malignant tumors of the head and neck was compared with that of bleomycin in similar cases, and the former appeared slightly preferable. 2. The adverse reactions to the 2 drugs were similar to each other; however, those to pepleomycin were milder. 3. Only few cases exhibiting such severe pulmonary fibrosis as emphasized in the published data have been encountered in bleomycin treatment in the authors' department. However, with reference to the measurements of PaO2 in the pepleomycin-treated cases, this may be said to be an anticancer drug which is easier to use clinically. 4. Adverse reactions to pepleomycin, e.g., alopecia, malaise, and others, were less frequent and less severe than those to bleomycin. 5. It was studied by the auditory acuity test in 10 cases (excluding 1 dropout) whether any auditory acuity disorder would occur after pepleomycin treatment: No changes in auditory acuity were observed in any of the cases.