amrubicin and Carcinoma--Merkel-Cell

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with an aggressive clinical course. Although anthracycline- and platinum-based regimens are empirically used as first-line treatments for metastatic or unresectable cases, no salvage therapy has been established. A 73-year-old man with platinum-refractory recurrent MCC was treated with amrubicin. The symptoms improved soon, and a partial response was achieved. A total of nine cycles of amrubicin were administered in nine months with manageable adverse events until disease progression was finally observed. The present findings suggest the potential of amrubicin monotherapy as a second-line therapy for patients with advanced/recurrent MCC.

Topics: Aged; Anthracyclines; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell; Drug Administration Schedule; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Male; Remission Induction; Salvage Therapy; Skin Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome