Single-agent gemcitabine in patients with resistant small-cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to assess the activity and toxicity ofgemcitabine in patients with resistant small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS TAND METHODS: Forty-one patients with limited- or extensive-stage SCLC, who were previously treated with at least one chemotherapeutic regimen and progressed during or within three months of finishing the last regimen, were treated with 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 of a four-week cycle.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for response. Five partial and no complete responses were seen, for an overall response rate of 13% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6%-27%). Time to progression varied from 4 to 20 weeks, with a median of 8 weeks. Median survival was 17 weeks (range 4-84 weeks). Hematological toxicity mainly consisted of NCI-CTC grade 3 thrombocytopenia (29% of patients) and, to a lesser extent, grade 3 leukopenia (18% of patients). Non-hematological toxicity was mild, with nausea being the most commonly reported event.


CONCLUSIONS
Gemcitabine has modest activity in patients with resistant SCLC. There is some non-cross resistance to most agents against SCLC.
van der Lee
I
I
Department of Pulmonology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Smit
E F
EF
van Putten
J W
JW
Groen
H J
HJ
Schlösser
N J
NJ
Postmus
P E
PE
Schramel
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine