Amrubicin: a synthetic anthracyclin analogue in the treatment of extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

Amrubicin is a synthetic anthracyclin analogue that has significant activity in Japanese patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). There has not been significant advances made in the treatment of this disease in last several years and new therapies are desperately needed to change the natural history of this disease. Preliminary data has shown that amrubicin possesses anti-tumor activity in patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer in the western population. Clinical trials are on going to evaluate this agent further in Europe and U.S. If effective, it may be an invaluable addition into the current armamentarium to treat this deadly disease. The review includes patent coverage on the treatment of small cell lung cancer.