Treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin in patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Forty patients confirmed with unresectable, nonembolizable HCC and objective measurable tumors, had received no prior systemic chemotherapy. All patients enrolled in this study had adequate liver and renal functions, and adequate bone marrow reserve. Gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2) was given on day 1 and oxaliplatin (100 mg/m2) on day 2 via intravenous infusion in each 21-day cycle. If no evidence of disease progression or unacceptable adverse effects occurred, the treatment courses would continue.


RESULTS
No affirmative response was achieved; partial response (PR) was achieved in 1 patient. Eight patients (20%) had stable diseases with an average duration of 20.2 weeks. The others were rated progression. The average time to progression was 13.9 weeks. The spectra of both hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were mild, with thrombocytopenia as the dose-related side effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The toxicities of gemcitabine-oxaliplatin were well managed in this study. In view of these treatment results, gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination therapy with this particular dose regimen should not be considered in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Li
Sheng
S
Shandong Tumor Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Yanxun007@263.net
Niu
Zuoxing
Z
Tian
He
H
Zhang
Bo
B
Wang
Fangxin
F
Yi
Long-Hai
LH
Yu
Jinming
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine