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A multicenter phase II study of belotecan, a new camptothecin analogue, in elderly patients with previously untreated, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

Belotecan is a new camptothecin analogue and a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor. The aim of this phase II study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of belotecan in previously untreated elderly patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods

A total of 26 patients, aged ≥65 years, with previously untreated, extensive-stage SCLC were enrolled in the study. Belotecan was administered by daily intravenous infusion at 0.5 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks.

Results

The overall response rate and disease control rate of chemotherapy on an intention-to-treat basis were 35 and 54 %, respectively. The median overall survival was 6.4 months, and the median time to progression was 2.8 months. The most common toxicity was hematologic. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 80.8 % of patients, and grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia in 15.3 %. Non-hematologic toxic effects of grade 3 or 4 were uncommon.

Conclusion

Belotecan had modest efficacy and well-tolerated toxicity in previously untreated, elderly SCLC patients. Single belotecan could be a promising treatment option, considering its lower toxicity in elderly patients who are unsuitable candidates for platinum plus etoposide chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea

    Chang Dong Yeo, Jin Woo Kim & Kwan Hyoung Kim

  2. Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sang Haak Lee & Hwa Sik Moon

  3. Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Ju Sang Kim, Seung Joon Kim, Seok Chan Kim & Young Kyoon Kim

  4. Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Hyeon Hui Kang, Hyung Kyu Yoon & Jeong Sup Song

  5. Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea

    Byoung Yong Shim

  6. Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 93 Ji-dong, Paldalgu, Suwon, Gyeonggi, 442-720, Republic of Korea

    Chi Hong Kim

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  1. Chang Dong Yeo
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Correspondence to Chi Hong Kim.

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Chang Dong Yeo and Sang Haak Lee have contributed equally to this work.

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Yeo, C.D., Lee, S.H., Kim, J.S. et al. A multicenter phase II study of belotecan, a new camptothecin analogue, in elderly patients with previously untreated, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 72, 809–814 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-013-2256-0

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