Epirubicin in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma: a phase II cooperative study. The North-Eastern Italian Oncology Group (GOCCNE)--Mesothelioma Committee.

From September 1986 to April 1988, all consecutive patients with histologically proven (pathologic review mandatory) malignant mesothelioma, measurable disease, age less than 75 years, Karnofsky performance status equal to or greater than 40, and no previous chemotherapy were treated with epirubicin at the dosage of 75 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks. Of the 23 patients who entered the study, 2 were retrospectively found not to have malignant mesothelioma. In the 21 eligible patients (all evaluable), no complete remission, 1 partial remission, 11 stable diseases and 9 progressions were noted. Toxicity was very mild. Median survival was 7.5 months. At the dosage used, epirubicin proved to be of little value in the management of these patients. Whether higher doses are more effective, as has been noted in other tumors, remains to be ascertained.