CPT-11: a new derivative of camptothecin for the treatment of refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the activity of CPT-11, which is a new derivative of camptothecin, against refractory or relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).


METHODS
Sixteen patients with refractory or relapsed SCLC were entered onto a prospective, non-randomized, single-institution phase II trial. All 16 patients had been pretreated heavily with some form of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Five patients had received previous chemotherapy with cisplatin, vincristine, doxorubicin, and etoposide (CODE) as an induction therapy. Six patients had been treated with concurrent cisplatin and etoposide plus chest x-ray. The median time off chemotherapy was 7.3 months (range, 1.9 to 15.1 months). Patients were treated with a CPT-11 starting dose of 100 mg/m2 body surface given as a 90-minute intravenous (IV) infusion every week with subsequent doses based on toxicity. Fifteen patients were assessable for toxicity, response, and survival.


RESULTS
Seven patients (47%; 95% confidence limits for an overall response rate, 21.4% to 71.9%) responded to CPT-11 with a median duration of response of 58 days. The major toxicities were myelosuppression (predominantly leukopenia), diarrhea, and pulmonary toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
CPT-11 is an active agent against refractory or relapsed SCLC and deserves to be studied more closely as both a single agent and in combination with other drugs to treat patients with SCLC.
Masuda
N
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka Prefectural Habikino Hospital, Japan.
Fukuoka
M
M
Kusunoki
Y
Y
Matsui
K
K
Takifuji
N
N
Kudoh
S
S
Negoro
S
S
Nishioka
M
M
Nakagawa
K
K
Takada
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin