[Irinotecan plus gemcitabine(IRINOGEM)in the treatment of biliary malignancies].
OBJECTIVE
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of irinotecan plus gemcitabine(IRINOGEM)on biliary malignancies.


METHODS
From January 2005 through January 2007, 15 consecutive patients with chemotherapy- naive, locally advanced or metastatic biliary malignancies were enrolled. The primary affected sites were the gallbladder( n=7), extrahepatic bile ducts(n=5), and intrahepatic bile ducts(n=3). All the patients received starting doses of gemcitabine at 250 mg/m /(2) and irinotecan at 25 mg/m(2) given once per 2-week cycle. In the event of progressive disease, the dosage was increased for subsequent cycles.


RESULTS
The median number of cycles administered was 16(range, 4-24 cycles)per patient. Although one case of grade 3 neutropenia was noted, neither grade 4 toxicities nor treatment-related deaths were observed. The overall response rate was 40% and the median overall survival time was 8 months, with a 1-year cumulative survival rate of 28%.


CONCLUSIONS
IRINOGEM shows promising antitumor activity, and may be a worthwhile treatment option for locally advanced or metastatic biliary malignancies.
Muneoka
Katsuki
K
Depts. of Surgery , Niitsu Medical Center Hospital.
Shirai
Yoshio
Y
Sasaki
Masataka
M
Wakai
Toshifumi
T
Sakata
Jun
J
Toshima
Muneatsu
M
Hatakeyama
Katsuyoshi
K
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin; D000093542:Gemcitabine