title: Gemcitabine and carboplatin for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: The survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer remains poor. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy produces a modest benefit in survival compared with that observed with best supportive care. Gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN), a novel nucleoside antimetabolite, is active and well tolerated. The combination of gemcitabine/cisplatin has shown a significant improvement in response rate and survival over cisplatin alone. Phase III trials comparing gemcitabine/cisplatin with older combinations such as cisplatin/etoposide or mitomycin/ifosfamide/cisplatin have shown a higher activity for gemcitabine/cisplatin; however, the best way to combine these drugs remains unclear. In addition, the 3-week schedule has obtained a higher dose intensity with less toxicity and similar efficacy as the 4-week schedule. The role of carboplatin in combination with new drugs is still under evaluation. Gemcitabine/carboplatin seems to be a good alternative, with the advantage of ambulatory administration and lower nonhematologic toxicity. The 4-week schedule has produced frequent grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in some studies. The 3-week schedule, using gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 and carboplatin on day 1, is a convenient and well-tolerated regimen. The toxicity profile is acceptable without serious symptoms. This schedule could be considered a good option as a standard regimen. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 10):4-9.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Av Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dómine
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Casado
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Estévez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016190:Carboplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine