The patients were a 59-year-old man and 68-year-old man with previously-treated small cell lung cancer (extensive disease). Amrubicin (40 mg/m(2) and 45 mg/m(2)) was administered for 3 days after brain irradiation. Severe neutropenia continued for nine days from day 8 following administration. Although both patients had an infection, it improved by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and antibiotics, plus a blood transfusion. Particular attention for severe myelosuppression should be given to amrubicin therapy with previously-treated small cell lung cancer. However, a detailed blood test in course 1 and early administration of drugs such as G-CSF make this therapy feasible. In addition, to control the condition of patients, repeated administration of amrubicin with dose reduction is recommended.

Suzuki H, Sasada S, Matsuda Y, Otani Y, Morishita N, Kobayashi M, Okamoto N, Hirashima T, Matsui K, Kawase I.

Dept. of Thoracic Malignancy, Osaka Prefectural Medical Center for Respiratory and Allergic Diseases.