Epirubicin plus paclitaxel regimen as second-line treatment of patients with small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM Most patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) experience relapse within one year after first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to describe activity and safety of second-line with epirubicin at 70 mg/m(2) followed by paclitaxel at 135 mg/m(2) on day 1 every three weeks for a maximum of six cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective review of all patients with SCLC evaluated for second-line treatment between 2003 and 2013 at our Institution. RESULTS Sixty-eight patients received the study regimen of epirubicin with paclitaxel. We observed partial response in 19 (30%), stable disease in 22 (34%) and total early failure rate in 23 (36%) patients. Median progression free and overall survival were 21.8 and 26.5 weeks, respectively. Haematological toxicities were as follows: grade 3-4 leukopenia and neutropenia in 18 (31%) and 30 (22%) of patients, respectively; grade 3 anaemia and grade 4 thrombocytopenia were reported in 2 (3%) and 5 (9%) of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION Epirubicin with paclitaxel is an active and tolerable second-line regimen in patients with SCLC.