Gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin combination (GEMOX regimen) in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a multicenter phase II study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the activity and tolerance of gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin (GEMOX regimen) in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with advanced NSCLC who had disease progression after a cisplatin- and taxane-based front-line regimen were treated with gemcitabine (1500 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m(2) on day 8) every 3 weeks. The patients' median age was 62 years and the performance status (WHO) was 0 for 11, 1 for 17 and 2 for 4 patients. The treatment was second line for 22 (69%) and >or=third line for 10 (31%) patients.


RESULTS
Partial response was achieved in 5 (16%) patients, stable disease in 8 (25%) and progressive disease in 19 (59%). Two patients with stable disease and one patient with progressive disease while on previous chemotherapy experienced a partial response with GEMOX regimen. The median duration of response was 2.5 months (range, 1-11.5), the median time to tumor progression 3 months (range, 1-18) and the median survival 5.6 months (range, 1-31). Grade III neutropenia occurred in five (16%) patients, grade III thrombocytopenia in two (6%) and grade III anemia in three (9%); moreover, grades II-III asthenia was reported in eight (25%) patients and grades II-III neurotoxicity in three (9%).


CONCLUSIONS
The GEMOX combination is a relatively active and well tolerated second-line regimen in NSCLC patients pretreated with a taxane- and/or platinum-based chemotherapy.
Kakolyris
Stylianos
S
Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Ziras
Nikolaos
N
Vamvakas
Lambros
L
Varthalitis
John
J
Papakotoulas
Pavlos
P
Syrigos
Kostas
K
Vardakis
Nikolaos
N
Kalykaki
Antonia
A
Amarantidis
Kiriakos
K
Georgoulias
Vassilis
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C080625:taxane; D002945:Cisplatin