title: Epirubicin plus paclitaxel regimen as second-line treatment of patients with small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) experience relapse within one year after first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to describe activity and safety of second-line with epirubicin at 70 mg/m(2) followed by paclitaxel at 135 mg/m(2) on day 1 every three weeks for a maximum of six cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of all patients with SCLC evaluated for second-line treatment between 2003 and 2013 at our Institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight patients received the study regimen of epirubicin with paclitaxel. We observed partial response in 19 (30%), stable disease in 22 (34%) and total early failure rate in 23 (36%) patients. Median progression free and overall survival were 21.8 and 26.5 weeks, respectively. Haematological toxicities were as follows: grade 3-4 leukopenia and neutropenia in 18 (31%) and 30 (22%) of patients, respectively; grade 3 anaemia and grade 4 thrombocytopenia were reported in 2 (3%) and 5 (9%) of patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epirubicin with paclitaxel is an active and tolerable second-line regimen in patients with SCLC.
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy giulia.pasello@ioveneto.it.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Pasello
authors: Medical Oncology Unit, Ca' Foncello Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Carli
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Canova
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Bonanno
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Polo
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Zago
authors: Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Loredana
authors: L
authors: Urso
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors: Pierfranco
authors: P
authors: Conte
authors: Medical Oncology 2, Venetian Oncological Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors: Adolfo
authors: A
authors: Favaretto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015251:Epirubicin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin
keywords: Small cell carcinoma; chemotherapy; epirubicin; paclitaxel; recurrence