A Phase II trial of gemcitabine for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.
BACKGROUND
Treatment with traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens containing streptozocin or dacarbazine has resulted in only marginal benefit for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. The use of these regimens has been further limited by their potential toxicity. Gemcitabine is generally well tolerated and possesses demonstrated activity against a wide range of malignancies. The authors assessed the efficacy of gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors were treated with gemcitabine administered on a standard weekly schedule. Patients were followed for evidence of toxicity, response, and survival.


RESULTS
Gemcitabine was well tolerated. However, no radiologic or biochemical responses were observed. Although the majority of patients (65%) experienced disease stabilization as their best response to therapy, the overall median survival duration was only 11.5 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The minimal activity of gemcitabine highlighted the need for novel treatment approaches.
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA. matthew_kulke@dfci.harvard.edu
Matthew H
MH
Kulke
Haesook
H
Kim
Jeffrey W
JW
Clark
Peter C
PC
Enzinger
Thomas J
TJ
Lynch
Jeffrey A
JA
Morgan
Michele
M
Vincitore
Ann
A
Michelini
Charles S
CS
Fuchs
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine