A Phase II trial was conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group to determine the activity of altretamine in previously treated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, Thirty-two women with advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were entered, The starting dose was 260 mg/m(2)/day for 21 days every 4 weeks, Twenty-six patients were evaluable for response and 29 were evaluable for toxicity. Among the 26 evaluable patients, 21 had received prior radiotherapy and 24 had received prior chemotherapy. A median of two courses were given (range, 1-6), Grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal toxicity, occurring in 17%, was the most common complication (grade 3, 13.8%; grade 4, 3.4%), Grade 3 anemia was slightly less common occurring in 13.8%, Grade 3 peripheral neurotoxicity occurred in 3.4%, There were no objective responses, demonstrating that this agent is useful in previously treated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.