S-1 is an active anticancer agent for advanced thymic carcinoma

The Effectiveness and Tolerance of TS-1 a Monotherapy for Relapsed Thymic Cancer Patient Who could not Tolerate Platinum Compounds

“…In the present case, monochemotherapy with TS-1 was effective and the side effects associated with S-1 were minor. Several previous reports have described the efficacy of TS -1 as a "next-line" regimen for relapsed thymic cancer [6][7][8]. Conversely, TS-1 may be also a good option for patients who cannot tolerate platinum compounds although further clinical studies are needed to confirm the present findings.…”

Cisplatin and irinotecan combination chemotherapy for advanced thymic carcinoma: Evaluation of efficacy and toxicity

“…The median survivals with the ADOC and VIP regimens were 19 months and 20 months, respectively. Some case reports showed response with new drugs containing molecular-targeted agents, such as imatinib [21], sunitinib [22], sorafenib [23], EGFR-TKI [24], somatostatin analog plus prednisolone [25], docetaxel [26], 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin [27], amrubicin [28], or S-1 [29], and these could be used as second or later lines of chemotherapy. In particular, further molecular investigation is needed to use molecular-targeted agents effectively.…”

Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas

“…76 However, S-1 (an oral fluorouracil) appears to be active in patients with thymic carcinomas. 113,114 Targeted therapy (eg, sunitinib, sorafenib) may be useful for patients with c-Kit mutations; however, these mutations are rare in thymic carcinomas (<10%). [115][116][117][118] Patients with thymomas do not have c-Kit mutations.…”