Lurbinectedin-induced thrombocytopenia: the role of body surface area

Abstract

Lurbinectedin is an alkylating agent approved for the second-line treatment of small cell lung cancer. Although initial studies showed no association between body surface area (BSA) and drug clearance, the recommended dose is 3.2 mg/m² every 3 weeks. This recommendation was based on an exposure-response study, which demonstrated that patients with lower BSA had a higher incidence of thrombocytopenia. Herein we present the factors associated with BSA and thrombopoiesis, which may have contributed to the observed relationship.

Keywords: Body surface area; Exposure–response; Flat dose; Lurbinectedin; Thrombocytopenia.