Thymoma

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Section editor
Amit Kulkarni, MBBS
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, USA

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Last updated on 2024-07-23:
14 regimens on this page
16 variants on this page


Guidelines

Given the rapid change in evidence in many areas of hematology/oncology, readers are encouraged to consider any guideline published 5+ years ago to be for historical purposes, only.



Neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable disease

PAC-P

PAC: Platinol (Cisplatin), Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Cyclophosphamide
CAP: Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Platinol (Cisplatin)

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Kim et al. 2004 1990-02 to 2000-04 Phase 2

Note: while this regimen is conventionally referred to as PAC or CAP, it also includes a high-dose prednisone component with likely antineoplastic properties, and has been renamed PAC-P here.

Chemotherapy

Glucocorticoid therapy

Supportive therapy

21- to 28-day cycle for 3 cycles

Subsequent treatment

  • Surgical resection is performed if CT scan 3 to 4 weeks after the third cycle of chemotherapy shows disease amenable to resection, and is followed by adjuvant RT, then PAC consolidation

References

  1. Kim ES, Putnam JB, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Ro JY, Shin HJ, Truong M, Moon H, Swisher SG, Fossella FV, Khuri FR, Hong WK, Shin DM. Phase II study of a multidisciplinary approach with induction chemotherapy, followed by surgical resection, radiation therapy, and consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable malignant thymomas: final report. Lung Cancer. 2004 Jun;44(3):369-79. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Adjuvant therapy

PAC-P

PAC: Platinol (Cisplatin), Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Cyclophosphamide
CAP: Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Platinol (Cisplatin)

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Kim et al. 2004 1990-02 to 2000-04 Phase 2

Note: while this regimen is conventionally referred to as PAC or CAP, it also includes a high-dose prednisone component with likely antineoplastic properties, and has been renamed PAC-P, here. Also note that these doses are 80% of the induction doses, except for the prednisone.

Preceding treatment

  • Definitive RT

Chemotherapy

Glucocorticoid therapy

21- to 28-day cycle for 3 cycles

References

  1. Kim ES, Putnam JB, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Ro JY, Shin HJ, Truong M, Moon H, Swisher SG, Fossella FV, Khuri FR, Hong WK, Shin DM. Phase II study of a multidisciplinary approach with induction chemotherapy, followed by surgical resection, radiation therapy, and consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable malignant thymomas: final report. Lung Cancer. 2004 Jun;44(3):369-79. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Radiation therapy

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Kim et al. 2004 1990-02 to 2000-04 Phase 2

Preceding treatment

Radiotherapy

  • External beam radiotherapy by the following response-based criteria:
  • If tumor is completely resected and has at least 80% necrosis: 5000 cGy is administered 3 to 6 weeks after surgery
  • If tumor is incompletely resected or has less than 80% necrosis: 6000 cGy is administered

One course

Subsequent treatment

References

  1. Kim ES, Putnam JB, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Ro JY, Shin HJ, Truong M, Moon H, Swisher SG, Fossella FV, Khuri FR, Hong WK, Shin DM. Phase II study of a multidisciplinary approach with induction chemotherapy, followed by surgical resection, radiation therapy, and consolidation chemotherapy for unresectable malignant thymomas: final report. Lung Cancer. 2004 Jun;44(3):369-79. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Advanced or metastatic disease, first-line therapy

ADOC

ADOC: Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum (Cisplatin), Oncovin (Vincristine), Cyclophosphamide

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Fornasiero et al. 1991 1977-1990 Retrospective

Note: The body of Fornasiero et al. 1991 specifies that cycles are given every 3 weeks. However, the abstract says that cycles are given "at monthly intervals," and some guidelines list the regimen as being given every 4 weeks.

Chemotherapy

21- to 28-day cycles

References

  1. Retrospective: Fornasiero A, Daniele O, Ghiotto C, Piazza M, Fiore-Donati L, Calabró F, Rea F, Fiorentino MV. Chemotherapy for invasive thymoma: A 13-year experience. Cancer. 1991 Jul 1;68(1):30-3. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Carboplatin & Paclitaxel (CP)

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Lemma et al. 2011 2001-02 to 2008-01 Phase 2

Chemotherapy

Supportive therapy

21-day cycle for up to 6 cycles

References

  1. Lemma GL, Lee JW, Aisner SC, Langer CJ, Tester WJ, Johnson DH, Loehrer PJ Sr. Phase II study of carboplatin and paclitaxel in advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2011 May 20;29(15):2060-5. Epub 2011 Apr 18. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors link to PMC article PubMed


CISCA

CISCA: CISplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)
PAC: Platinol (Cisplatin), Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Cyclophosphamide
CAP: Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin), Platinol (Cisplatin)

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Loehrer et al. 1990 1983-04 to 1988-03 Phase 2

Chemotherapy

Supportive therapy

  • 1 liter NS over 2 hours at least 2 hours before and after cisplatin therapy
  • Corticosteroids use for antiemesis was specifically discouraged unless the indication was for myasthenia gravis

21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles

References

  1. Loehrer PJ Sr, Perez CA, Roth LM, Greco A, Livingston RB, Einhorn LH. Chemotherapy for advanced thymoma: preliminary results of an intergroup study. Ann Intern Med. 1990 Oct 1;113(7):520-4. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed
    1. Update: Loehrer PJ Sr, Kim K, Aisner SC, Livingston R, Einhorn LH, Johnson D, Blum R; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; Southwest Oncology Group; Southeastern Cancer Study Group. Cisplatin plus doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide in metastatic or recurrent thymoma: final results of an intergroup trial. J Clin Oncol. 1994 Jun;12(6):1164-8. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Cisplatin & Etoposide (EP)

PE: Platinol (Cisplatin), Etoposide

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Giaccone et al. 1996 1985-09 to 1991-08 Phase 2

Chemotherapy

Supportive therapy

  • "A program of forced hydration"

21-day cycle for up to 8 cycles

References

  1. Giaccone G, Ardizzoni A, Kirkpatrick A, Clerico M, Sahmoud T, van Zandwijk N; EORTC Lung Cancer Cooperative Group. Cisplatin and etoposide combination chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic thymoma: a phase II study of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Lung Cancer Cooperative Group. J Clin Oncol. 1996 Mar;14(3):814-20. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


VIP

VIP: Vepesid (Etoposide), Ifosfamide, Platinol (Cisplatin)

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Loehrer et al. 2001 1995-07 to 1997-02 Phase 2

Chemotherapy

Supportive therapy

  • Mesna (Mesnex) 240 mg/m2 IV push two times per day on days 1 to 4, given 4 hours after and 8 hours after ifosfamide (total dose per cycle: 1920 mg/m2)
  • 1 liter normal saline once per day on days 1 to 4, prior to cisplatin
  • Filgrastim (Neupogen) 5 mcg/kg SC once per day on days 5 to 15, until WBC count at least 10 x 109/L above nadir

21-day cycle for 4 cycles

References

  1. Loehrer PJ Sr, Jiroutek M, Aisner S, Aisner J, Green M, Thomas CR Jr, Livingston R, Johnson DH. Combined etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma: an intergroup trial. Cancer. 2001 Jun 1;91(11):2010-5. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Advanced or metastatic disease, subsequent lines of therapy

Capecitabine & Gemcitabine

CAP-GEM: CAPecitabine & GEMcitabine

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence Efficacy
Palmieri et al. 2009 2005-11 to 2008-08 Phase 2 ORR: 40%

Chemotherapy

21-day cycles

References

  1. Palmieri G, Merola G, Federico P, Petillo L, Marino M, Lalle M, Milella M, Ceribelli A, Montella L, Merola C, Del Prete S, Bergaglio M, De Placido S, Di Lorenzo G. Preliminary results of phase II study of capecitabine and gemcitabine (CAP-GEM) in patients with metastatic pretreated thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). Ann Oncol. 2010 Jun;21(6):1168-72. Epub 2009 Oct 30. link to original article PubMed
    1. Update: Palmieri G, Buonerba C, Ottaviano M, Federico P, Calabrese F, Von Arx C, De Maio AP, Marino M, Lalle M, Montella L, Merola C, Milella M, Bergaglio M, Di Lorenzo G, Damiano V. Capecitabine plus gemcitabine in thymic epithelial tumors: final analysis of a Phase II trial. Future Oncol. 2014 Nov;10(14):2141-7. link to original article dosing details in abstract have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Everolimus monotherapy

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence Efficacy
Zucali et al. 2017 (ONC-2010-001) 2011-02-17 to 2013-10-21 Phase 2 DCR: 88%

Targeted therapy

Continued indefinitely

References

  1. ONC-2010-001: Zucali PA, De Pas T, Palmieri G, Favaretto A, Chella A, Tiseo M, Caruso M, Simonelli M, Perrino M, De Vincenzo F, Toffalorio F, Damiano V, Pasello G, Garbella E, Ali M, Conforti F, Ottaviano M, Cioffi A, De Placido S, Giordano L, Bertossi M, Destro A, Di Tommaso L, Santoro A. Phase II study of everolimus in patients with thymoma and thymic carcinoma previously treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Feb 1;36(4):342-349. Epub 2017 Dec 14. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Ifosfamide monotherapy

Regimen variant #1, intermittent dosing

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Highley et al. 1999 1984-07 to 1996-07 Pilot, fewer than 20 pts

Chemotherapy

Supportive therapy

  • Mesna (Mesnex) 400 mg IV bolus once per day on days 1 to 5, given before ifosfamide, then 1000 mg/m2 IV over 7.5 hours (total dose per cycle: 7000 mg/m2)

21-day cycles


Regimen variant #2, continuous dosing

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Highley et al. 1999 1984-07 to 1996-07 Pilot, fewer than 20 pts

Chemotherapy

  • Ifosfamide (Ifex) 1500 mg/m2/day IV continuous infusion over 120 hours, started on day 1, given second (total dose per cycle: 6000 mg/m2)

Supportive therapy

  • Mesna (Mesnex) 2000 mg IV bolus once on day 1, given first, then 1500 mg/m2/day IV continuous infusion over 7 days (total dose per cycle: 12,500 mg/m2)

21-day cycles

References

  1. Highley MS, Underhill CR, Parnis FX, Karapetis C, Rankin E, Dussek J, Bryant B, Rowland C, Hodson N, Hughes J, Harper PG. Treatment of invasive thymoma with single-agent ifosfamide. J Clin Oncol. 1999 Sep;17(9):2737-44. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed content property of HemOnc.org


Octreotide monotherapy

Regimen variant #1, brief course

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Loehrer et al. 2004 1998-04 to 2000-11 Phase 2

Endocrine therapy

1-month cycle for 2 cycles

Subsequent treatment


Regimen variant #2, extended course

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Loehrer et al. 2004 1998-04 to 2000-11 Phase 2

Endocrine therapy

1-month cycle for up to 12 cycles

References

  1. Loehrer PJ Sr, Wang W, Johnson DH, Aisner SC, Ettinger DS; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Octreotide alone or with prednisone in patients with advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase II Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Jan 15;22(2):293-9. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Octreotide & Prednisone

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Loehrer et al. 2004 1998-04 to 2000-11 Phase 2

Preceding treatment

Endocrine therapy

1-month cycle for up to 10 cycles

References

  1. Loehrer PJ Sr, Wang W, Johnson DH, Aisner SC, Ettinger DS; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Octreotide alone or with prednisone in patients with advanced thymoma and thymic carcinoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase II Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Jan 15;22(2):293-9. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors PubMed


Sunitinib monotherapy

Regimen

Study Dates of enrollment Evidence
Thomas et al. 2015 (NCI 12-C-0118) 2012-05-15 to 2013-10-02 Phase 2

Targeted therapy

42-day cycles

References

  1. NCI 12-C-0118: Thomas A, Rajan A, Berman A, Tomita Y, Brzezniak C, Lee MJ, Lee S, Ling A, Spittler AJ, Carter CA, Guha U, Wang Y, Szabo E, Meltzer P, Steinberg SM, Trepel JB, Loehrer PJ, Giaccone G. Sunitinib in patients with chemotherapy-refractory thymoma and thymic carcinoma: an open-label phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2015 Feb;16(2):177-86. Epub 2015 Jan 13. Erratum in: Lancet Oncol. 2015 Mar;16(3):e105. link to original article dosing details in manuscript have been reviewed by our editors link to PMC article PubMed NCT01621568