Efficacy and safety of anlotinib as maintenance therapy after induction chemotherapy in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer

Anlotinib has been approved as the third-line or beyond treatment regimen for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). However, it is indistinct whether there are survival benefits of anlotinib in the maintenance therapy of ES-SCLC. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib monotherapy as maintenance therapy after induction chemotherapy for patients with ES-SCLC. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was considered to be the pivotal symbol as the primary endpoint. The median overall survival (mOS) and safety were recognized as the second endpoints. Eligible patients in stable status after first-line chemotherapy would subsequently accept oral anlotinib (12 mg/d, d1-d14, every 21 days as a course). The maintenance method was continued until disease progression or unmanageable toxicity occurred. The mPFS was 7.7 months (95% CI, 7.20–8.20 months) and the mOS was 11.0 months (95% CI, 9.19–12.82 months), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events were hypertension ( n = 9; 64.3%), fatigue ( n = 6; 42.9%), followed by decreased appetite ( n = 5; 35.7%), nausea ( n = 5; 35.7%), weight decrease ( n = 4; 28.6%), and rash ( n = 4; 28.6%). There were no patients who required dose reduction because of severe adverse events. Anlotinib achieved prospective efficacy and manageable safety in the maintenance treatment of ES-SCLC. These above outcomes demonstrated that anlotinib was a tolerable and potent maintenance treatment option after induction chemotherapy in ES-SCLC.