Gemcitabine and platinum combinations in pancreatic cancer.
Progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in the past several decades has been very modest. Several new agents with activity against this disease have been identified. Of these, gemcitabine appears to be the most promising when used in combination with other drugs. Gemcitabine and cisplatin combinations have been tested in several studies. The major toxicity reported to occur with the gemcitabine-cisplatin combination is myelosuppression, which is greater than that encountered with single-agent gemcitabine. However, episodes of neutropenic fever or spontaneous bleeding are reported to be very infrequent. Pilot Phase II studies combining gemcitabine with cisplatin have shown improved outcomes in objective response rates and survival; however, these findings must be confirmed in larger randomized studies.
Philip
Philip Agop
PA
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. philipp@karmanos.org
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine