title: Cisplatin and gemcitabine in malignant pleural mesothelioma: a phase II study.
abstract: Aims of this study were to evaluate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients with histologically proven MPM, < 75 years of age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) < or = 2, and measurable MPM were eligible. Patients received gemcitabine 1250 mg/m intravenously on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 75 mg/m on day 2, every 21 days, for a maximum of 6 cycles. From May 1999 to May 2001, 35 chemonaive patients (median age, 61 years) were enrolled. A total of 177 cycles were administered (median 5 cycles; range 1 to 6). One patient was not evaluable for response and toxicity. Nine (26%) patients had partial responses, 11 (32%) patients had progressive disease, and 14 (41%) stable disease. Median survival for all patients was 13 months. Median progression-free survival was 8 months. Grade 3 (World Health Organization) nausea and vomiting occurred in 35% of patients. Grade 3/4 anemia, grade 3/4 thrombocythemia, and grade 3/4 neutropenia were assessed in 24%, 52%, and 61% of patients, respectively. All other side effects were mild. In conclusion, gemcitabine-cisplatin combination seems to be moderately active in MPM. Furthermore, at this dose and schedule, the toxicity profile could be acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, S. Spirito Hospital, Casale Monferrato (AL), Italy. bruno.castagneto@mbox.asl21.piemonte.it
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castagneto
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zai
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dongiovanni
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muzio
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bretti
authors.forename: Gianmauro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Numico
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sinaccio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine