Epirubicin in malignant mesothelioma: a phase II study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group.

PURPOSEThe doxorubicin analog, epirubicin (EPI), was tested in patients with malignant mesothelioma.PATIENTS AND METHODSSixty-three patients with malignant mesothelioma were given EPI 110 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Histology was reviewed and confirmed by a pathology panel. On the basis of unconvincing or wrong histology, insufficient material or cytology only, nine cases were considered ineligible for the study. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy.RESULTSThe main side effects were myelosuppression, alopecia, and gastrointestinal toxicity. Tumor response, assessed by computed tomographic (CT) scans, was assessable in 48 patients. Seven patients (15%) achieved a partial response that lasted a median of 37 weeks; 19 patients had stable disease, and 22 patients progressed on treatment. Median survival time was 40 weeks from the start of chemotherapy, and the median survival of responding patients was 87 weeks. One responding patient is still alive and free of relapse 4 years from the start of chemo...