Potential Activity of Amrubicin as a Salvage Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Emiko Sakaida; Takahiro Ebata; Shunichiro Iwasawa; Ryota Kurimoto; Sachiko Yonemori; Satoshi Ota; Yukio Nakatani; Ikuo Sekine; Yuichi Takiguchi

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7675

CASE REPORTS

Potential Activity of Amrubicin as a Salvage Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Emiko Sakaida, Takahiro Ebata, Shunichiro Iwasawa, Ryota Kurimoto, Sachiko Yonemori, Satoshi Ota, Yukio Nakatani, Ikuo Sekine, Yuichi Takiguchi

Author information

Emiko Sakaida
Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Takahiro Ebata
Department of Medical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Shunichiro Iwasawa
Department of Medical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Ryota Kurimoto
Department of Medical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Sachiko Yonemori
Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Satoshi Ota
Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Yukio Nakatani
Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan
Ikuo Sekine
Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Yuichi Takiguchi
Department of Medical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan

Keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma, amrubicin, platinum agent, neuroendocrine carcinoma

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2017 Volume 56 Issue 5 Pages 567-570

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7675

Details

Abstract

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.

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