Gemcitabine-based doublets for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: beyond gemcitabine/cisplatin.
Gemcitabine is one of the most active agents in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent evidence indicates that gemcitabine/cisplatin is among the most active doublets in advanced NSCLC, but the problem of what to give patients who cannot tolerate cisplatin still remains. The combination of gemcitabine/carboplatin is under investigation. Initially thought to be too myelosuppressive, recent schedule modifications have made this a more feasible doublet for NSCLC. Nonplatinum doublets consisting of gemcitabine with the taxanes or vinorelbine are also under investigation. This review covers the most current trials of gemcitabine-based doublets in advanced NSCLC.
Natale
Ronald B
RB
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Lung Cancer Research Program, Salick Health Care, Inc, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. rnatale@csccc.com