title: Gemcitabine as second-line treatment for relapsing or refractory advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II trial.
abstract: We investigated 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. From November 1995 to October 1997, 83 patients (73 men and 10 women) with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on a weekly x 3 every 4 weeks schedule. Responses were assessed every two treatment courses. The median age of the patients was 63 years. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0-1 in 62 patients; 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 I stage IIIA). 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: leukopenia and thrombocytopenia World Health Organization grade 2-3 occurred in 23% and 20% of patients, respectively. Mild asthenia was observed in 16% of patients and peripheral edema was observed in 5% of patients. Nausea and vomiting were present in 16% of patients. In this study, gemcitabine showed significant activity in a patient population usually associated with poor prognosis. This finding suggests a possible role for gemcitabine as second-line treatment in patients who have recurring disease or who have failed a platinum-containing regimen, and in the absence of significant toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Policlinico Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crinò
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mosconi
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Scagliotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Selvaggi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Della Giulia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gridelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calandri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Marinis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noseda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tonato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine