title: A phase II study of gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil in metastatic pancreatic cancer: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study (E3296).
abstract: Gemcitabine has recently been compared favorably to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the standard chemotherapy for advanced pancreas cancer. Based on phase I data that combining gemcitabine with 5-FU is safe and has evidence for clinical activity, a phase II trial was conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). Patients with metastatic disease, good performance status and organ function were eligible and enrolled after providing informed consent. Patients were given gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2)) followed by 5-FU (600 mg/m(2)) weekly for 3 weeks of every 4. Of 37 patients enrolled over a 3-month period, 36 were eligible. Partial responses were seen in 5 patients (14%). Median survival was 4.4 months with a 1-year survival rate of 8.6%. A randomized trial of the combination of 5-FU and gemcitabine versus gemcitabine alone is currently accruing patients in ECOG.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-5536, USA. jordan.berlin@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adak
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flinker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blaszkowsky
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.lastname: Benson IIIAB
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine