A Pilot Phase II Study of Irinotecan (CPT-11) in Combination with Cisplatin Administered Intraveneously to Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma
Takashi Nakano, Third Dept of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, JAPAN.
CPT-11, a new derivative of camptothecin, is one of the most active single agents against non-small cell lung cancer, with a response rate (RR) of 32%. The activity of CPT-11 against mesothelioma has not been studied previously. RRs of 20%~30% have been achieved in malignant mesothelioma using a moderate- or high-dose cisplatin (CDDP)- based combinations. We performed a pilot phase II study of CPT-11 in combination with CDDP against previously untreated malignant mesothelioma. *** Ten patients with histologically-confirmed malignant mesothelioma were treated with 2-3 cycles of this combination. Two partial responses and 1 minor response were observed (RR:20%). Toxicity was well tolerated. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia and anemia occurred in 1 patient (10%) and 3 patients (30%) respectively, and grade 1 diarrhea was observed in 3 patients (30%). There were no treatment-related deaths.
In conclusion, this combination achieved a RR similar to other moderate- or high-dose CDDP-based regimens in this small group of patients with malignant mesothelioma, and was well tolerated.
[This abstract has been summarized]