Review Article

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Chemotherapy and Emerging New Therapeutic Options

Table 2

Molecular-targeted agents.

Number of patientsAgent usedDosageTolerabilityResponseMedian time to progression

Davids et al. [28]
metastatic disease
Pazopanib800 mg dailyMinimal adverse effects; dose reduction after gallstone pancreatitis to 400mg dailyAfter 2 months: CR of primary lesion, PR of metastatic lesions4 months

Samlowski et al. [29]
metastatic or unresectable disease
Imatinib400 mg dailyMainly Grade 1-2 toxicities;
3 episodes of Grade 4 toxicities;
Grade 3 toxicities in 3 patients
no CR;
PR: 4%
1-2 months

Di Bartolomeo et al. [30]
metastatic disease (neuroendocrine tumors)
Octreotide500 or 1000 micrograms 3 times a dayCarcinoid syndrome and abnormal urinary 5-hydroxy-indoloacetic acid excretion were reportedMedian survival time of 22 months (range, 1–32+ months);
PR: 3%
Disease stabilized for at least 6 months (range, 1–32+ months)

Meier et al. [31]
locoregional disease
90Y-DOTATOC;
targeted radiotherapy
85 mCiFatigue was main side effectPR after 1 week;
CR after 4 weeks
10 weeks until locoregional relapse

Fakiha et al. [32]
clinically locoregional disease
Lanreotide15 mg i.m. injection every two weeksNo side effects reportedClinically CR after 2 months7 months until relapse

Shah et al. [33]
metastatic or regionally recurrent disease
Oblimersen sodium7 mg per kilogram dailyIncluding Grade 3 and Grade 4 events, for example, lymphopenia, renal failure, cytopenia, and hyperkalemiaNo responses; stable disease in 3 patientsPD in 9 patients

CR: complete response; PR: partial response; PD: progressive disease.