Role of topoisomerase i inhibitors in small-cell lung cancer
Fukuoka, M.
Oncology 15(7 Suppl 8: 9-13
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0890-9091 PMID: 11497234 Document Number: 527930
Combination chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment that confers a meaningful survival benefit for patients with small-cell lung cancer. However, because there have been no major therapeutic advances for small-cell lung cancer during the last decade, more effective new treatments are necessary to improve the outcome of therapy. Irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, is one of the new active agents that provide hope for more effective therapies. In single-agent phase II studies, irinotecan yielded response rates between 16% and 47% in patients with previously treated small-cell lung cancer. A phase II study of irinotecan in combination with cisplatin (Platinol) resulted in a response rate of 86% and a median survival of 13.0 months in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer. A phase III trial that was conducted by the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) clearly demonstrated a survival advantage for the combination of irinotecan and cisplatin vs the standard regimen of etoposide (VP-16, VePesid) and cisplatin. Based on these results, the irinotecan and cisplatin combination is a new standard regimen in the treatment of extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer.