Open AccessThe Role of Topotecan in the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer
Author(s) -
Brahmer Julie R.,
Ettinger David S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.3-1-11
Subject(s) - topotecan , medicine , oncology , chemotherapy , paclitaxel , disease , lung cancer , radiation therapy , refractory (planetary science) , drug , pharmacology , physics , astrobiology
Topotecan is a chemotherapeutic agent that is active in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). As a first‐line agent in chemotherapy‐naive patients with extensive disease SCLC, topotecan has a 39% response rate. As a second‐line drug in SCLC patients with “sensitive” disease and “refractory” disease, the response rate is greater than 38% and less than 10%, respectively. The combination of topotecan and paclitaxel exhibits a promising overall response rate of 92% in chemotherapy‐naive patients with extensive disease SCLC. Further studies are warranted with topotecan used in combination with other agents, including radiation therapy in patients with SCLC.