Gemcitabine and docetaxel as front-line chemotherapy in patients with carcinoma of an unknown primary site.
BACKGROUND
The current study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a noncisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen combining gemcitabine and docetaxel as front-line chemotherapy for patients with carcinoma of an unknown primary site.


METHODS
Patients were to receive intravenous gemcitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 and docetaxel at a dose of 75 mg/m2 over 1 hour on Day 8 in an outpatient setting. The schedule was repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles.


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients were assessable for response and survival. One complete and 13 partial responses were observed. The overall response rate was 40% (95% confidence interval, 28-52%). The median time to disease progression was 2 months (range, 1-4 months). The median overall survival time was 10 months (range, 0-32 months). Toxicity was reported to be manageable.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel was found to be active in patients with carcinomas of an unknown primary site. However, the overall outcome of these patients remains poor and novel treatment approaches are required.
Pouessel
Damien
D
Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Régional de Lutte contre le Cancer Val d'Aurelle, Montpellier, France.
Culine
Stéphane
S
Becht
Catherine
C
Ychou
Marc
M
Romieu
Gilles
G
Fabbro
Michel
M
Cupissol
Didier
D
Pinguet
Frédéric
F
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine