title: Gemcitabine and paclitaxel associated pneumonitis in non-small cell lung cancer: report of a phase I/II dose-escalating study.
abstract: The aim of this phase I/II dose escalating study was to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine and paclitaxel given in combination in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 12 patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLC received paclitaxel administered intravenously over 1 h followed by gemcitabine given over 30 min on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days. Pneumonitis was the principal side-effect observed with 4 patients affected. Of these, 1 experienced grade 3 toxicity after one cycle of treatment and the others had grade 2 toxicity. All 4 cases responded to prednisolone. No other significant toxicities were observed. Of the 8 evaluable patients, 3 had a partial response and 2 had minor responses. The study was discontinued due to this dose-limiting toxicity. The combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine shows promising antitumour activity in NSCLC, however, this treatment schedule may predispose to pneumonitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jeyapalan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: O'Byrne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine