Phase II Trial of Amrubicin for Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Results of the West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group Trial (WJTOG0401)

BackgroundAmrubicin is a synthetic anthracycline drug that is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase II. We have performed a multicenter phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of amrubicin for patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsPatients with advanced NSCLC who experienced disease recurrence after one platinum-based chemotherapy regimen were eligible for enrollment in the study. Amrubicin was administered by intravenous injection at a dose of 40 mg/m2 on 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks.ResultsSixty-one enrolled patients received a total of 192 treatment cycles (median, 2; range, 1–15). Response was as follows: complete response, 0; partial response, seven (11.5%); stable disease, 20 (32.8%); and progressive disease, 34 (55.7%). Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months, whereas median overall survival was 8.5 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 32%. Hematologic toxicities of grade 3 or 4 included neutropenia (82.0%), leukopenia (73.8%), thrombocytopenia (24.6%), and anemia (27.9%). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 18 patients (29.5%). One treatment-related death due to infection was observed. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild.ConclusionsAmrubicin is a possible alternative for second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC, although a relevant hematological toxicity is significant, especially with a febrile neutropenia.