title: Docetaxel and gemcitabine combinations in chemotherapy-pretreated non small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Both docetaxel and gemcitabine are active against chemotherapy-pretreated non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We previously demonstrated that weekly gemcitabine can be safely combined with monthly docetaxel with promising antineoplastic activity. In a recently completed phase II trial, 38 NSCLC patients failing upfront chemotherapy were treated with gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 and docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 1 every 4 weeks. The intent-to-treat response rate was 33% (95% CI: 19%-55%), with one complete and 11 confirmed partial responses. Responses were seen at all disease sites and in 31% of patients refractory to front-line chemotherapy. The median time to disease progression for the responders was 8 months, and two have remained progression-free for longer than a year. Hematological toxicities included grade 4 neutropenia in half of patients, febrile neutropenia in 10%, and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 25%. The most prominent nonhematological toxicity was asthenia. We conclude that this doublet is active and safe, producing durable responses at all disease sites and in patients with platinum-refractory NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Oncology Consultants Incorporated, Columbus, Ohio 43235, USA. hspiridoni@aol.com
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Spiridonidis
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Laufman