Successful salvage chemotherapy with amrubicin for invasive thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis

Abstract

Anthracycline-based regimens with cisplatin have been commonly used for inoperable and relapsed thymoma. However, little information is available regarding the usefulness of salvage chemotherapy. Here, we describe a case of invasive thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis that showed a marked response to third-line chemotherapy, with single-agent amrubicin, a synthetic anthracycline analog and potent deoxyribonucleic acid topoisomerase II inhibitor. Amrubicin appears to have significant activity against invasive thymoma.

Keywords: anthracycline; chemotherapy; relapsed thymoma; topoisomerase II inhibitor.