Carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel for recurrent small cell lung cancer: A phase II study

Background: We conducted a phase II study of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) after the failure of a prior standard chemotherapy containing platinum, etoposide, irinotecan, and amrubicin if indicated. Patients with interstitial pneumonia complications were included in the study.

Methods: Patients received 100 mg/m² of nab-paclitaxel weekly (on days 1, 8, and 15) and an AUC 5 of carboplatin on day 1. The study treatment was repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression or the appearance of unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate.

Results: A total of 21 patients were enrolled, all of whom were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Twelve patients had pre-existing interstitial pneumonia. The overall response rate was 19.0% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 6.8%-38.4%). The lower limit of the 90% CI for the response rate did not exceed the prespecified threshold value of 10%. Among the 12 patients with pre-existing interstitial pneumonia, the response rate was 25%. The median progression-free survival time was 2.5 months (95% CI: 1.5-3.4 months), and the median survival time was 5.1 months (95% CI: 2.1-8.1 months). Two patients developed interstitial lung disease; both of these patients had pre-existing interstitial pneumonia. One of the patients died from interstitial lung disease.

Conclusion: Combination chemotherapy with carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel for recurrent SCLC had a modest activity, although the primary study endpoint was not met. Further investigation of this regimen for patients with recurrent SCLC and interstitial pneumonia is warranted.