Gemcitabine-based therapy in pancreas cancer: gemcitabine-docetaxel and other novel combinations.
Since its approval in 1998 by the Food and Drug Administration, gemcitabine has rapidly become accepted as a standard part of palliative therapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. It has modest activity when used as a single agent, and this has led to numerous studies combining it with other active agents, including cytotoxic as well as biologic and targeted therapies. Numerous Phase II studies suggest that the combinations may have greater activity than single agent therapy. However, randomized trials concerning this are still in progress. In the current article, a variety of gemcitabine-based novel combinations showing promising activity are reviewed.
Jacobs
Andrew D
AD
Department of Cancer Care Services, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98111, USA. andrew.jacobs@vmmc.org
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D043823:Taxoids; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000068878:Trastuzumab; D017239:Paclitaxel; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000093542:Gemcitabine