Beyond pancreatic cancer: irinotecan and gemcitabine in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
Non-platinum combinations including gemcitabine and irinotecan (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN) for the management of a variety of malignancies have started to emerge. Gemcitabine and irinotecan are well-tolerated single agents, each with a broad spectrum of antitumor activity. Preclinical data suggests synergy for the two drugs when used in combination. A phase I trial has defined a well-tolerated combination regimen using both drugs on a day-1, -8 schedule every 3 weeks. Phase II data suggest activity for the combination in pancreatic cancer, and a phase III trial of the two-drug combination versus gemcitabine alone is underway in previously untreated pancreatic cancer patients. Other phase II trials evaluating the impact of this combination on a variety of other tumors, such as non-small cell lung, small cell lung, breast, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are either forthcoming or in progress. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 10):34-43.
Rocha Lima
C M
CM
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Urbanic
J J
JJ
Lal
A
A
Kneuper-Hall
R
R
Brunson
C Y
CY
Green
M R
MR
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin; D000093542:Gemcitabine