title: Bi-weekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine as first-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) currently consists of platinum-based, combination chemotherapy of limited efficacy and possible toxicity. The bi-weekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine for advanced NSCLC was evaluated in a phase II study (objective response rate, median survival, median duration of response and safety).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 170 cycles were administered to 31 patients with advanced NSCLC and a median age of 66 years (range 47-75 years). Patients received docetaxel 80 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 14 of a 28-day cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients achieved a PR (16/31, 55.2%), 3 patients had SD (3/31, 10.3%) and 10 (10/31, 34.5%) had PD. The median time to disease progression was 3 months (range 0-12 months) with a mean survival of 10 months (range 3-31 months). Haematological and non-haematological toxic effects were generally mild to moderate and manageable: Grade 3 neurotoxicity and allergy occurred in 2 patients (6.4%) and 1 patient (3.2%), respectively. Peripheral neuropathy, mostly grades 1 and 2, was reported in 24 patients (77.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bi-weekly administration of a docetaxel/gemcitabine combination with G-CSF support constitutes a tolerable and convenient regimen for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, with efficacy similar to that reported in other regimens.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Third Department of Medicine, University of Athens School of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece. knsyrigos@usa.net
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dannos
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionellis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bofos
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alamara
authors.forename: Ekaterini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dimakou
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stratakos
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papiris
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000093542:Gemcitabine