• 1. Clinical Oncology Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; 2. Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center/INCLEN CERTC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
WU Taixiang, Email: xiaoshanwangxue@163.com
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Objective  To evaluate the role of topotecan in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Methods  Up to 2006, we searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMbase, Cancerlit, CBM, CNKI and VIP. Handsearch and additional search were also conducted. The quality of included studies was evaluated and meta-analyses were performed for the results of homogeneous studies by RevMan 4.2.8 software.
Results  Fourteen studies involving 2 099 participants with SCLC were included. All included studies were adequate in reporting randomization, while inadequate in allocation concealment and blinding. Meta-analyses showed that the response rate of TP (topotecan + cisplatin) regimen had no significant difference compared with EP regimen (etoposide + cisplatin) with OR 0.83 and 95%CI 0.63 to 1.09, but myelo-suppression such as leucopenia and thrombopenia was more severe with TP regimen; the response rate of monotherapy with topotecan was similar with that of CE (carboplatin + etoposide) regimen with OR 0.59 and 95%CI 0.22 to 1.60; the response rate of TEP (topotecan + etoposide + cisplatin) regimen was comparable with that of EP regimen with OR 1.37 and 95%CI 0.82 to –2.28, but myelosuppression and anemia were more severe with TEP regimen; the response rate with OR 0.97 and 95%CI 0.60 to –1.57, median time to progression with WMD –2.32 and 95%CI –5.72 to 1.09 and median survival time with WMD –1.65 and 95%CI –7.13 to 3.83 of IV topotecan were similar to those of oral topotecan, while neutropenia was more severe with IV topotecan. Forty-five treatment-related deaths were reported in all included studies.
Conclusions  Topotecan is an effective agent for SCLC when used as monotherapy or in combined treatment, but myelosuppression such as leucopenia and thrombopenia was relatively severe. Although it has been recommended as a second-line agent for recurrence of sensitive SCLC, more clinical trials are needed to define its role in first-line treatment. Due to a high risk of selection bias and detection bias in included studies, the evidence is insufficient to determine the effect of topotecan. Further large-scale trials are required to define the role of topotecan in the treatment of SCLC.

Citation: WANG Xiaoshan,WU Taixiang,HOU Mei. Topotecan for Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2007, 07(3): 189-203. doi: Copy