[A case of recurrent small cell lung cancer with symptoms improved by nogitecan hydrochloride]

A 68-year-old woman with recurrent advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC), previously treated with 7 courses of carboplatin + etoposide, 4 courses of cisplatin + irinotecan and radiotherapy (primary site and whole brain irradiation), received 3 courses of a single nogitecan hydrochloride i.v. bolus with 4 consecutive days of administration, for a total dose of 7.5 mg. MR-imaging revealed a response in the brain metastasis, and tumor markers (NSE and ProGRP) were improved after the first course. Headache, her main complaint, was also alleviated. These observations suggest that nogitecan hydrochloride alone might be useful for treatment of recurrent SCLC in cases of poor performance status (PS), especially when the patient requires remission of symptoms.