Epirubicin in malignant mesothelioma: a phase II study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group.
OBJECTIVE
The doxorubicin analog, epirubicin (EPI), was tested in patients with malignant mesothelioma.


METHODS
Sixty-three patients with malignant mesothelioma were given EPI 110 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Histology was reviewed and confirmed by a pathology panel. On the basis of unconvincing or wrong histology, insufficient material or cytology only, nine cases were considered ineligible for the study. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The main side effects were myelosuppression, alopecia, and gastrointestinal toxicity. Tumor response, assessed by computed tomographic (CT) scans, was assessable in 48 patients. Seven patients (15%) achieved a partial response that lasted a median of 37 weeks; 19 patients had stable disease, and 22 patients progressed on treatment. Median survival time was 40 weeks from the start of chemotherapy, and the median survival of responding patients was 87 weeks. One responding patient is still alive and free of relapse 4 years from the start of chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that further testing of EPI in malignant mesothelioma is warranted.
Mattson
K
K
University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Giaccone
G
G
Kirkpatrick
A
A
Evrard
D
D
Tammilehto
L
L
van Breukelen
F J
FJ
Planteydt
H T
HT
van Zandwijk
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015251:Epirubicin