Planned sequence of gemcitabine followed by vinorelbine in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
The rationale for planned sequential chemotherapy is based on the principle that sequential administration of non-cross-resistant cytotoxic agents has the advantage of eliminating additive toxicity and permitting the delivery of full doses of each drug. At present, there is a lack of data on the results of planned sequential single agent administration in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of increasing the time-to-progression (TTP) by a 1.5 factor in comparison with the historical results of monochemotherapy with a first-line planned sequential administration of gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR).


METHODS
GEM 1000 mg/m2 was administered intravenously (i.v.) for 30 min on days 1, 8 and 15 and recycled on day 28 for a total of 3 cycles. Independently of response, VNR was administered i.v. as a bolus at a dose of 25 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. VNR treatment was continued until disease progression or intolerance.


RESULTS
Fifty-two consecutive patients, with a median age of 76 years (70-85), affected by locally advanced (35%), metastatic (54%) or recurrent (11%) NSCLC were enrolled. The overall best objective response was 3.8% CR, 19.2% PR, 32.7% SD, 23.1% disease progression and 21.2% not evaluable. Both drugs were well tolerated. The median TTP was 6 months (95% confidence limits 4-8), the median overall survival was 10 months (95% confidence limits 6-14) and the one-year survival rate was 42%.


CONCLUSIONS
The planned sequential administration of GEM and VNR suggests that the TTP can be increased with the use of the 2 single agents in elderly patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
Martoni
Andrea Angelo
AA
Medical Oncology Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. martoni@aosp.bo.it
Di Fabio
Francesca
F
Melotti
Barbara
B
Giaquinta
Stefania
S
Guaraldi
Monica
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; 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; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014747:Vinblastine; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine