Gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin in biliary and hepatic carcinoma (HCC) chemotherapy: preliminary results and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Advanced biliary tract cancers have a poor prognosis. Gemcitabine (G) as a single agent or in combination represents an active treatment option. Systemic chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma represents a palliative treatment. Gemcitabine in combination with Liposomal Doxorubicin (LD) may represent an active treatment option.


METHODS
Clinical trials for biliary and hepatic carcinoma have been reviewed.


RESULTS
We obtained RC (1 pt), RP (4 pts), SD (8 pts) and seven pts had PD (RR 25% and SD 40%). Our chemotherapy regimen was Gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) d 1 and 8, Liposomal Doxorubicin 30 mg d 1, q 28. Patients were 21 (17 M), aged 44 to 78 (median 63 yrs). Only in 8 pts we observed G 3-4 haematological toxicity, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia (7 G3, 1 G4).
Pastorelli
D
D
O.U.C. Medical Oncology, Busonera Hospital 1 floor, National Oncology Institute of Veneto, IOV - IRCCS, Padua, Italy. dpastorelli@ulss16.padova.it
Cartei
G
G
Zustovich
F
F
Marchese
F
F
Artioli
G
G
Zovato
S
S
Binato
S
S
Ceravolo
R
R
Cingarlini
S
S
Salmaso
F
F
Mattiazzi
M
M
Sanavio
C
C
Farinati
F
F
Zanus
G
G
Cillo
U
U
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000093542:Gemcitabine