A phase II study of amrubicin combined with carboplatin for elderly patients with small-cell lung cancer: North Japan Lung Cancer Study Group Trial 0405

Amrubicin, a new anthracycline agent, has shown high activity for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) in previous studies. However, a combination regimen with amrubicin and platinum has been investigated little. On the basis of previous phase I study, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of amrubicin and carboplatin for elderly patients with SCLC. Chemotherapy-naive elderly patients with SCLC received amrubicin (35 mg/m2, days 1–3) and carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 4.0, day1] every 3 weeks. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR), and secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival and toxicity profile. From January 2005 to November 2007, 36 patients were enrolled [median age 76 (range 70–83); ECOG performance status of zero and one in 17 and 19 patients, respectively]. One complete response and 31 partial responses were observed (ORR 89%). Median PFS was 5.8 months and median survival time was 18.6 months. Grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 97% of the patients and six patients (17%) suffered from grade 3–4 febrile neutropenia. Other toxic effects were moderate and treatment-related death was not observed. Amrubicin combined with carboplatin is quite effective for SCLC with acceptable toxic effects even for the elderly population. Further evaluation of this regimen is warranted.