title: Single-agent pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelix) in chemotherapy pretreated non-small cell lung cancer patients: a pilot trial.
abstract: Polyethylene glycol-coated (pegylated) liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is a new formulation of doxorubicin with peculiar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodinamic properties, a favorable toxic profile and a demonstrated activity in solid tumors. We tested PLD in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients, progressed after a platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. PLD was administered at the dose of 35 mg/m(2) every 21 days. After the first six patients had been accrued, due to the low toxicity shown in the first six patients, the dose was escalated to 45 mg/m(2). Seventeen patients were enrolled in the study and were considered eligible for evaluation of toxicity and response. Stomatitis, palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia (PPE) and asthenia were the most common toxicities and affected approximately half of the treated patients. Stomatitis occurred in 8/17 patients and was grade 3-4 in three. PPE was seen in 9/17 and was grade 3 in one. In the group treated at the dose of 45 mg/m(2) PPE was more frequent and severe and required treatment delay in some cases. Other toxicities were equally distributed among the two groups. Hematological toxicity was not common and never reached grade 3-4. However, one patient with grade 2 leucopenia had pneumonia and died. Clinically evident heart failure was never recorded. Left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed in three patients after PLD treatment (in one case after the first course, due to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, and in two cases after six courses) and was unchanged compared to pre-treatment assessment. One confirmed partial response was observed (5.8%); five patients (29.4%) had stable disease (including one minor response) and nine (52.9%) had disease progression. Median time to progression was 9.5 weeks, median survival 18.6 weeks. PLD at the doses employed in this study can be safely administered and has shown activity in platinum pretreated NSCLC patients.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Unit, S.Croce e Carle General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy. gnumico@libero.it
authors.forename: Gianmauro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Numico
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granetto
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Garrone
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Gianna Di
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Pietro La
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Ciura
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gasco
authors.forename: Oliviero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ostellino
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porcile
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merlano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008081:Liposomes; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin