S-1 is an active anticancer agent for advanced thymic carcinoma

BackgroundThymic 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.Patients and methodsWe 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.ResultsTwo 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.ConclusionsWe 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.