Background: The safety and efficacy of second-line chemotherapy for treating patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) have not been elucidated to date.
Patients and methods: Between January 2005 and September 2013, we analyzed 23 patients with SCLC and ILD who received second-line chemotherapy. Pre-existing ILD was diagnosed according to clinical features and pretreatment chest high-resolution computed tomography results.
Results: The overall objective response rates and disease control rates were 22% and 52%, respectively. The median respective durations of progression-free survival and overall survival were 2.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI)=2.0-3.0 months) and 7.1 months (95% CI=3.6-11.3 months), respectively. Three patients with unusual interstitial pneumonia pattern (13%) developed chemotherapy-related pneumonitis.
Conclusion: Second-line treatment may be an effective and safe option for SCLC patients with ILD after sufficient evaluation of risks and benefits.
Keywords: Chemotherapy-related exacerbation; interstitial lung disease; small cell lung cancer; usual interstitial pneumonia.
Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.