A phase II study of amrubicin, a synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline, in patients with previously treated lung cancer☆
Received 9 June 2009; received in revised form 22 August 2009; accepted 28 September 2009. published online 26 October 2009. Corrected Proof
Abstract
Purpose
This study was designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of amrubicin, a new anthracycline agent, in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods
Eligible patients were required to have recurrent or refractory NSCLC and SCLC after one or two previous chemotherapy regimens. All patients received intravenous amrubicin 35mg/m2 on days 1–3 every 3 weeks. Overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.
Results
Sixty-six patients (37 NSCLC and 29 SCLC) were assessable for efficacy and safety evaluation. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 39.4% of all patients (NSCLC, 37.8%; SCLC, 41.4%). Nonhematological toxicities were mild. No treatment-related death was observed. The ORRs were 13.5% (95% CI, 4.5–28.8%) in NSCLC and 44.8% (95% CI, 26.4–64.3%) in SCLC. In SCLC, ORRs were 60.0% in the sensitive relapse and 36.8% in the refractory relapse (p=0.2332). In NSCLC, the PFS, OS, and 1-year survival were 3.3 months, 12.0 months, and 35.3%, respectively. In SCLC, the PFS, OS, and 1-year survival were 4.0 months, 12.0 months, and 46.7%, respectively.
Conclusions
Amrubicin is an active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with previously treated lung cancer. Amrubicin 35mg/m2 seems to achieve similar efficacy with less toxicity than amrubicin 40mg/m2 in this patient population. These results warrant further evaluation in previously treated lung cancer.
ABSTRACT
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