Abstract
BackgroundMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rapidly progressive tumor with a poor prognosis. The benefit of first-line standard pemetrexed – platinum chemotherapy in MPM has been established. Currently, second-line chemotherapy is increasingly use, because many patients are fit at the progression of the disease. No standard second/further line chemotherapy exit for MPM after failure of first-line pemetrexed based chemotherapy. This study aimedat evaluating the clinical activity of weekly epirubicin as second/further line chemotherapy in elderly patients with MPM. MethodsFrom July 2014 to March 2018, in Medical Oncology Department of Asst-rhodense Hospital, 22 patients (15 males and 7 females with a median age of 78 years, range 74-86) with MPM were eligible for analysis. Histology was epithelioid in 17 pts, sarcomatoid in 3 and biphasic in 2 patients. A Carboplatin-(AUC:4) pemetrexed doublet was administered in 14 pts and 8 pts received gemcitabine as single agent how first-line. Gemcitabine was given as second-line in 9 pts. Epirubicin was always administered with the same schedule at 20mg/m2day 1, 8, 15 every 28 until disease progression/intolerance. ResultsOverall response rate was as follows: 4 PR (18 %), 10 SD (45 %) and 8 PD (40%). Median time to progression was 5 months (range 3 – 11). No life threatening event occurred. No grade 3-4 toxicities were observed. Liver toxicity grade 1-2 in 2 pts (10%), thrombocytopenia grade 1 in 2 pts (9%), neutropenia grade 1-2 in 8 pts (40 %), fatigue grade 2 in 7 pts (32%), nausea grade 1 in 4 pts (20%). ConclusionsEpirubicin has a modest clinical activity in pre-treated elderly patients with MPM in progression after one or two regimens, with an acceptable toxicity profile. It could be considered as a palliative treatment. Legal entity responsible for the studyThe authors. FundingHas not received any funding. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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