title: A combination of a fixed dose rate infusion of gemcitabine associated to a bolus 5-fluorouracil in advanced pancreatic cancer, a report from the Italian Group for the Study of Digestive Tract Cancer (GISCAD).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laboratory evidences suggest the possibility that an infusion rate of 10 mg/m2/min may be more effective than the standard 30-min infusion of Gemcitabine (GEM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with histologically verified locally unresectable and/or metastatic pancreatic carcinoma received GEM at the dose of 1,500 mg/m2 with an infusion rate of 10 mg/m2/min, associated to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) at the dose of 600 mg/m2. Both drugs were administered weekly for two consecutive weeks out of every three weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One complete and five partial responses have been observed for an overall response rate of 17% (95% CI: 3%-27%). The time to progression was 3.7 months with a median survival of 5.7 months. A clinical benefit was obtained in 5 of 29 patients (17%). Grade 3-4 WHO toxicities included neutropenia (35%) and thrombocytopenia (10%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is unlikely that a fixed dose rate infusion of GEM, at least with this dose, can improve palliation in comparison with the standard 30-min infusion schedule in advanced pancreatic cancer.
authors: Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Parma, Italy. cascinu@yahoo.com
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cascinu
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Frontini
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Labianca
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Catalano
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Barni
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Graiff
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Picone
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Farinati
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Zonato
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Pessi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Curti
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Catalano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine