Lurbinectedin: A New Treatment Option for Relapsed/Refractory Small-Cell Lung Cancer

• Published in: Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2021-09, Vol.55 (9), p.1172-1179
• Main Authors: Shinn, Lauren T., Vo, Katrina A., Reeves, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1060-0280; 1542-6270
• DOI: 10.1177/1060028020983014

Objective To assess the clinical application of lurbinectedin and its role in the therapy of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Data Sources PubMed database and ClincialTrials.gov were utilized to perform a comprehensive literature search from August 2011 to mid-November 2020 with the terms lurbinectedin and PM01183. Study Selection and Data Extraction English-language clinical trials of lurbinectedin were evaluated. Data Synthesis Lurbinectedin, as second-line therapy in SCLC, demonstrated an overall response (OR) rate of 35.2% and median overall survival of 9.3 months. Phase II studies in multiple cancers revealed myelosuppression (>95%), increased liver enzymes (>70%), nausea (up to 80%), vomiting (54%), and fatigue (>50%) as the most common adverse events associated with lurbinectedin. CYP3A4 drug interactions affect lurbinectedin exposure (severe pancytopenia occurred after coadministration with aprepitant), and protein binding can affect its clearance. Patients with cardiac comorbidities were not included in published lurbinectedin trials because of cardiotoxicity associated with trabectedin. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice Lurbinectedin is an option in SCLC after failure of a platinum-based regimen. Dose adjustments, drug interactions, antiemetic regimen choice, and patient comorbidities are important clinical considerations with lurbinectedin use. Likewise, its place in therapy in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors requires further exploration. Conclusions With a promising OR compared with other second-line options, lurbinectedin should be considered in patients who have failed first-line therapy. Studies are ongoing with lurbinectedin in combination with other agents in SCLC, and a phase III trial is assessing use in combination with doxorubicin compared with other second-line regimens.