title: Single agent gemcitabine in the second-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer after treatment with taxane + platinum regimens.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the activity of single agent gemcitabine in the second-line setting of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). File records of 21 patients treated with single agent gemcitabine in advanced NSCLC who received one prior chemotherapy including a taxane and platinum combination were retrospectively evaluated. Treatment consisted of IV gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, followed by a 1-week rest repeated every 3 weeks. A partial response was achieved in four (19%) patients. The median response duration was 16 (range, 12-32) weeks. Six (29%) patients had a SD more than 3 months. The median time to progression was 16 (range, 8-32) weeks. No complete response was observed. Median overall survival was 36 weeks for second-line gemcitabine in all patients (95%: CI 5-13 months). Hematological toxicity (all grades) was reported by 9 (42.9%) patients. One (4.75%) patient experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia. Grade 3/4 nausea and vomiting and mucositis were reported in one (4.75%) patient. In conclusion, this study shows that single agent gemcitabine is active and well tolerated as a second-line therapy for advanced NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. ugurcos@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Ali Osman
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buyukberber
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benekli
authors.forename: Aytug
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uner
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dikilitas
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Ramazan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Secil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yamac
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077143:Docetaxel; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine