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The Role of Topotecan in the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Correspondence: David S. Ettinger, M.D., F.A.C.P., Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-8936, USA. Telephone: 410-955-8847; Fax: 410-614-9424; e-mail: ettinger{at}welchlink.welch.jhu.edu

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.

Key Words. Topotecan • Small cell lung cancer • Refractory disease • Sensitive disease • Extensive disease • Limited disease

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