Review of outcomes in a veteran treated with lurbinectedin long-term for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: A case report

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer comprises approximately 10% to 15% of all lung cancers but is associated with a high proliferation rate and poor prognosis. Treatment options for patients with small cell lung cancer have been limited and offer modest clinical benefit. Lurbinectedin, an approved treatment by the United States Food and Drug Administration for metastatic small cell lung cancer in adults with disease progression during or after platinum-based chemotherapy, was shown to have antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile in a phase II trial. Here, we present a case report of a patient who was treated with lurbinectedin for approximately 2 years and maintained stable disease while receiving a reduced dose. The patient developed grade 3 anemia which resolved following a dose reduction of lurbinectedin, allowing for mitigation of toxicity while maintaining the clinical efficacy of the drug. Clinicians who treat patients with small cell lung cancer should be aware of this extended use of lurbinectedin in a patient who relapsed following first-line treatment and maintained stable disease on a reduced dose for almost 2 years.