TriangleHEALTH PROFESSIONAL · SOURCE READING
Chemotherapy
Source: Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: October 25, 2024 · Captured 2026-09-09.
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A number of studies have demonstrated that certain chemotherapy drugs can induce tumor responses as single-agent or combination therapy. These drugs include pemetrexed, gemcitabine, taxanes, capecitabine, or fluorouracil and etoposide. In general, higher response rates have been reported with combinations, however, no randomized trials have been conducted. In most cases of inoperable disease recurrence, single-agent systemic therapy is preferred. Combination chemotherapy can be considered for selected patients who have demonstrated a good response previously, have had a long recurrence-free interval and good performance status, and, in the case of anthracycline-containing regimen, have not received high cumulative doses previously, which can jeopardize safety, especially in relation to cardiac toxicity.[1]
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Evidence (single-agent chemotherapy):
A phase II trial of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was conducted in 27 patients with recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (16 patients) and recurrent thymic carcinoma (11 patients).[2]
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A phase II trial of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was conducted in 27 patients with recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (16 patients) and recurrent thymic carcinoma (11 patients).[2]
The objective response rate was 19.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3%–38.1%) (26.7% [95% CI, 7.8%–55.1%] in patients with thymoma and 9.1% [95% CI, 0.2%–41.3%] in patients with thymic carcinoma).
A phase II trial of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was conducted in 27 patients with recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (16 patients) and recurrent thymic carcinoma (11 patients).[2]
The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.6 months (12.1 months for patients with thymoma vs. 2.9 months for patients with thymic carcinoma).
A phase II trial of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was conducted in 27 patients with recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (16 patients) and recurrent thymic carcinoma (11 patients).[2]
The median overall survival (OS) was 28.7 months (46.4 months for patients with thymoma vs. 9.8 months for patients with thymic carcinoma).
A phase II trial of pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) was conducted in 27 patients with recurrent thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) (16 patients) and recurrent thymic carcinoma (11 patients).[2]
The median duration of response was 4 months in patients with thymoma (range, 3.26–6.28 months) and 3.8 months in the one patient with thymic carcinoma who had a partial response.
Six of 16 patients achieved objective responses to octreotide (1.5 mg every day subcutaneously) associated with prednisone (0.6 mg/kg every day orally for 3 months, 0.2 mg/kg every day orally during follow-up).[3]
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Evidence (combination chemotherapy):
Thirty patients (22 patients with recurrent thymoma and 8 patients with thymic carcinoma) were enrolled in a phase II trial and treated with capecitabine (650 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks).[4]
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Thirty patients (22 patients with recurrent thymoma and 8 patients with thymic carcinoma) were enrolled in a phase II trial and treated with capecitabine (650 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks).[4]
Objective responses were observed in 9 of 22 patients (41%) with thymoma and 3 of 8 patients (38%) with thymic carcinoma.
Thirty patients (22 patients with recurrent thymoma and 8 patients with thymic carcinoma) were enrolled in a phase II trial and treated with capecitabine (650 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks).[4]
After a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 15–22), the median PFS was 11 months (range, 6.5–16.5). The median PFS was 11 months for patients with thymoma and 6 months for patients with thymic carcinoma. The overall median PFS was also 11 months.
Thirty patients (22 patients with recurrent thymoma and 8 patients with thymic carcinoma) were enrolled in a phase II trial and treated with capecitabine (650 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14) and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks).[4]
One-year and 2-year survival rates for the study population were 90% and 66%, respectively.
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice