title: Epirubicin: a phase II study in recurrent small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Epirubicin (4'-epidoxorubicin), an analogue of doxorubicin (Adriamycin), has established activity in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) when used at doses of 75 to 120 mg/m2 in previously untreated patients. We completed a phase II study of epirubicin (85 mg/m2 given intravenously at 3-week intervals) in 20 patients with recurrent SCLC, all of whom had received prior combination chemotherapy. Of 19 patients who were assessable for response, 2 achieved a complete response and 2 a partial response, for an overall response rate of 4/19 (21%); 95% confidence interval, 8%-43%). Myelosuppression and alopecia were the most frequent toxicities; epirubicin was otherwise well tolerated, with other toxicities such as nausea and vomiting being infrequent or mild. Epirubicin at a dose of 85 mg/m2 exhibits modest single-agent activity in previously treated SCLC and is generally well tolerated. Given as a single agent or in combination with other well-tolerated drugs, epirubicin would be suitable in cases in which palliation of symptoms without undue toxicity is required in the management of previously treated SCLC.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kefford
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raghavan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stuart-Harris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin