Docetaxel (Taxotere) and gemcitabine phase I and early phase II studies: results to date and an overview of ongoing studies.

Given their proven efficacy and different mechanisms of action, there exists a clear rationale for the combination of docetaxel (Taxotere; Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Antony, France) and gemcitabine. In phase I studies, the combined use of these two new drugs at close to their recommended single-agent doses has proven feasible, active, and well tolerated. The gemcitabine/docetaxel combination, administered on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle, may prove useful in many solid tumors, including those of the lung. In NSCLC, this use may extend from the setting of advanced disease to the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings.