PURPOSE: To investigate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine as a single agent in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after recurrence or failure of previous treatment with a platinum-containing regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1995 to October 1997, 83 patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) once a week for 3 weeks every 28 days. Responses were assessed every two treatment courses. The median age of the patients was 63 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 to 1 in 62 patients and 2 in 21 patients. The predominant histology was squamous (39 patients); 49 patients had stage IV disease and 34 patients had stage III disease (33 stage IIIB and one stage IIIA). RESULTS: Sixteen patients (19%) achieved a partial response to treatment; the median duration of response was 29 weeks (range, 6 to 50 weeks). Treatment was well tolerated: grade 2 to 3 (World Health Organization standardized response criteria) leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 23% and 20% of patients, respectively. Mild asthenia was observed in 16% of patients, and peripheral edema in 5% of patients. Nausea and vomiting were present in 16% of patients. CONCLUSION: In this experience, gemcitabine showed significant activity without relevant toxicity, mainly in patients who were previously responsive to chemotherapy. This suggests a possible role for gemcitabine as a second-line treatment in patients who had a previous response or achieved stable disease with a platinum-containing regimen.
PURPOSE: To investigate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine as a single agent in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after recurrence or failure of previous treatment with a platinum-containing regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1995 to October 1997, 83 patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) once a week for 3 weeks every 28 days. Responses were assessed every two treatment courses. The median age of the patients was 63 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 to 1 in 62 patients and 2 in 21 patients. The predominant histology was squamous (39 patients); 49 patients had stage IV disease and 34 patients had stage III disease (33 stage IIIB and one stage IIIA). RESULTS: Sixteen patients (19%) achieved a partial response to treatment; the median duration of response was 29 weeks (range, 6 to 50 weeks). Treatment was well tolerated: grade 2 to 3 (World Health Organization standardized response criteria) leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 23% and 20% of patients, respectively. Mild asthenia was observed in 16% of patients, and peripheral edema in 5% of patients. Nausea and vomiting were present in 16% of patients. CONCLUSION: In this experience, gemcitabine showed significant activity without relevant toxicity, mainly in patients who were previously responsive to chemotherapy. This suggests a possible role for gemcitabine as a second-line treatment in patients who had a previous response or achieved stable disease with a platinum-containing regimen.
Authors: Emilio Esteban; Joaquin Fra; Norberto Corral; Miguel Valle; Juan Carrasco; Marian Sala; Javier Puerta; Enrique Estrada; Isabel Palacio; Jose Maria Vieitez; Jose Maria Buesa; Angel Jimenez Lacave Journal: Invest New Drugs Date: 2002-02 Impact factor: 3.850
Authors: Anne M Traynor; Ju-Whei Lee; Gerald K Bayer; John M Tate; Sachdev P Thomas; Miroslaw Mazurczak; David L Graham; Jill M Kolesar; Joan H Schiller Journal: Invest New Drugs Date: 2009-02-24 Impact factor: 3.850
Authors: Byoung Yong Shim; Chi Hong Kim; So Hyang Song; Meyung Im Ahn; Eun Jung Hong; Sung Whan Kim; Suzy Kim; Min Seop Jo; Deog Gon Cho; Kyu Do Cho; Jinyoung Yoo; Hoon-Kyo Kim Journal: Cancer Res Treat Date: 2005-12-31 Impact factor: 4.679
Authors: Maximiliano Van Kooten; Moisés Rosenberg; Mauro Orlando; José Morero; Manuel Vilanova; Oscar Rojas; Héctor Vicente; Claudia Bagnes; Carlos Silva; Reinaldo D Chacón Journal: Invest New Drugs Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 3.850
Authors: Brigette Ma; Boon Cher Goh; Eng Huat Tan; Kwok Chi Lam; Ross Soo; Swan Swan Leong; Ling Zhi Wang; Frankie Mo; Anthony T C Chan; Benny Zee; Tony Mok Journal: Invest New Drugs Date: 2007-09-12 Impact factor: 3.850