S-1 is an active anticancer agent for advanced thymic carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Thymic carcinoma is a rare intrathoracic malignant tumor, and the prognosis for patients with advanced stage of the disease is poor. However, no definitive chemotherapeutic regimen has been established for advanced thymic carcinoma in front-line settings. The efficacy and benefit of second-line or salvage chemotherapy are also unknown, as few cases or case series have been reported.


METHODS
We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of S-1 monotherapy with S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine agent, as salvage therapy in four consecutive patients with previously treated advanced thymic carcinoma from January, 2008 to May, 2010.


RESULTS
Two patients achieved stable disease, and two achieved partial response. Median progression-free survival was 8.1 months. Hematological toxicity was mild, but gastrointestinal toxicity led to discontinuation in two of four patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that oral S-1 monotherapy is useful as second-line or later chemotherapy in previously treated patients with advanced thymic carcinoma and is a potential alternative choice for patients who cannot tolerate platinum-containing treatments.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious diseases Center Komagome Hospital, 3-18-22 Honkomagome, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8677, Japan.
Yusuke
Y
Okuma
Tsuneo
T
Shimokawa
Yusuke
Y
Takagi
Yukio
Y
Hosomi
Mari
M
Iguchi
Tatsuru
T
Okamura
Masahiko
M
Shibuya
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010094:Oxonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D004338:Drug Combinations; C079198:S 1 (combination); D005641:Tegafur; D010094:Oxonic Acid