[Gemcitabine in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer for elderly patients].
Among all 140 eligible cases in the two late phase II studies of gemcitabine monotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, response rate was 26.3% in 57 elderly patients group who were older than 70 and 21.7% in 83 non-elderly patients group who were blow 69. Median survival was 9.8 months and 9.3 months for elderly and non-elderly respectively, 1 year survival rate was 35.1% for elderly and 38.6% for non-elderly, and both groups showed good efficacy. Among elderly group, one case died from septic shock accompanied with grade 4 of leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and two cases developed interstitial pneumonitis. Of these two cases, one with mild pulmonary fibrosis died of respiratory failure due to aggravation of interstitial pneumonitis. Grade 3 or more anemia was occurred significantly more often in elderly group (elderly: 24.6%, non-elderly: 12.0%). There was no significant difference between both groups in the incidence of grade 3 or more of leukopenia and gastrointestinal toxicity, which were relatively low. No significant difference between both groups was found in total gemcitabine doses, average of single dose and the number of administration. Gemcitabine can be administered in elderly cases as well as in non-elderly cases. The results suggested that this agent is well-tolerated and effective for elderly patients with normal organ functions.
Osaka Chuo Hospital, Japan.
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D015996:Survival Rate; D014840:Vomiting, Anticipatory / Q000139:chemically induced; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine