title: Chemoradiation in NSCLC: focus on the role of gemcitabine.
abstract: Research to identify the optimal drugs for use in chemoradiotherapy has led to the development of the potent radiosensitizing agent gemcitabine (Gemzar), which has exhibited excellent activity in non-small-cell cancer. When used in sequential chemoradiotherapy regimens, gemcitabine has been associated with response rates of 57% to 68%. A full dose of gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) can be safely used as induction therapy, and there is no definitive indication of enhancement of radiotoxicity. In addition, results from phase I/II trials support the efficacy of concurrent gemcitabine/radiation therapy in improving overall response rates and overall survival. Rates of 68%, 37%, and 28%, respectively, for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival have been reported for gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy administered concurrently with radiotherapy. Although the optimal dose has yet to be determined, a weekly dose of 300 mg/m2 appears to be effective with an acceptable toxicity level. Additional clinical trials are warranted to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of gemcitabine in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9183, USA. hak.choy@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Hak
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choy
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases; D000093542:Gemcitabine