Anlotinib plus etoposide increases survival in patients with small-cell lung cancer after chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

ObjectivesSmall-cell lung cancer is a recalcitrant subtype of lung cancer with rapid progression and high metastasis. This study compared the efficacy of anlotinib plus etoposide with etoposide alone for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer after chemoradiotherapy. MethodsA total of 100 patients who had standard first-line chemoradiotherapy were enrolled, 50 of whom were treated with anlotinib plus etoposide and the other 50 with etoposide. The therapeutic efficacy and treatment-related adverse events were respectively evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0 and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. The progression-free survival and overall survival of patients were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The univariate and multivariate prognostic analyses were conducted using the Cox's proportional risk regression model. ResultsThe median of progression-free survival in patients treated with anlotinib plus etoposide was 7 months, compared to 5.5 months for patients treated with etoposide. The 1- and 2-year survival rates of patients treated with anlotinib plus etoposide were 70% (35/50) and 20% (10/50), compared with 50% (25/50) and 8% (4/50) for patients treated with etoposide. The incidence of neutropenia was higher in patients treated with anlotinib plus etoposide than in those treated with etoposide alone. Smoking status and tumor-lymph node-metastasis stage were independent risk factors while the treatment of anlotinib plus etoposide was the independent protective factor for the relapse of the cancer. ConclusionAnlotinib plus etoposide was more effective in extending progression-free survival and overall survival in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer patients compared to etoposide alone.