Results of S-1-based chemotherapy for platinum (and antrathycline)-refractory advanced thymic carcinoma

Aim: The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the role of S-1-based chemotherapy for patients with relapsed advanced thymic carcinoma (TC). Patients and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of TC patients who had received S-1-based chemotherapy for patients with platinum- and antrathycline-failure TC. Patients received S-1 monotherapy or S-1/gemcitabine combination therapy, that were repeated until disease progression. Results: The patients consisted of 4 males and 4 females with a median age of 59 years (range=41-71); 2 with squamous cell carcinoma, 3 with undifferentiated carcinoma, 1 with poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma and 2 not otherwise specified. Grade 3 or higher toxicity was only neutropenia (25.0%). No treatment-related death was observed. The response rate was 50.0% (95% confidence interval (CI)=21.5-78.5%). The median progression free-survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of S-1-based chemotherapy were 6.0 and 13.5 months, respectively. Conclusion: S-1-based chemotherapy was found to be potentially useful for patients with relapsed TC.