Effect of Temozolomide in Patients with Metastatic Bronchial Carcinoids

Introduction: Metastatic bronchial carcinoids are rare neoplasms, where efforts of medical treatment so far have been disappointing. A previous study from our center indicated that temozolomide might be of value. Materials and Methods: All patients with progressive metastatic bronchial carcinoid treated with tennozolomide as monotherapy at our center between 2004 and 2010 (n = 31) were included in this retrospective study. 14 tumors were classified as typical and 15 as atypical carcinoids, whereas 2 tumors could not be classified. Temozolomide was given on 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks. Toxicity was evaluable in 28 of 31 patients, and 22 patients were evaluable by RECIST 1.1. Results: There were no complete responses. A partial response was seen in 3 patients (14%), stable disease in 11(52%) and progressive disease in 7 patients (33%). Median progression-free survival was 5.3 months and median overall survival was 23.2 months from the start of temozolomide. Toxcities grade 3-4 were noted in 4 patients, thrombocytopenia (n =3) and leukopenia (n = 1). Conclusion: Temozolomide as monotherapy shows activity in metastatic bronchial carcinoids. Regimens combining tennozolomide with other agents (e.g. capecitabine and/or bevacizumab, everolimus, radiolabeled somatostatin analogues) should be further studied in these patients. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel