The evaluation of gemcitabine in resistant or relapsing multiple myeloma, phase II: a Southwest Oncology Group study.
Gemcitabine is a cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) analog with activity in many human tumor systems. We evaluated the drug's activity in resistant or relapsing multiple myeloma. Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 was administered as a 30 minute infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. No dose escalations were permitted and dose reductions were scheduled for hematologic toxicity. Twenty-nine eligible patients were entered into Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)-9803. One patient received no treatment and 5 patients had inadequate response assessments. The major toxicity was hematologic with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 9 and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 15 patients. No responses were seen. Stable disease was confirmed in sixteen patients (57%). Median survival was eight months. Gemcitabine as utilized in this trial has shown little activity and is not to be strongly considered for future multiple myeloma trials.
Weick
James K
JK
Hematology Oncology Associates, Lake Worth, FL, USA.
Crowley
John J
JJ
Hussein
Mohamed A
MA
Moore
Dennis F
DF
Barlogie
Bart
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine