Fixed-dose rate gemcitabine in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: an observational study.
Pancreatic cancer represents one of the most lethal cancers and treatment of advanced disease remains palliative. Age-related physiologic changes can increase chemotherapy's toxicity but the use of gemcitabine in elderly patients has not been properly evaluated. This observational prospective study evaluated patients aged 70 years and over, receiving gemcitabine for an advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Gemcitabine was delivered according to the usual fixed-dose rate schedule (1000mg/(m(2)week) over 100min, every week, 3 weeks over 4). Thirty-nine patients (median age 74) were treated between November 1999 and August 2004. Twenty-three patients (59%) received 100% of the planned dose-intensity. Grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (38% of patients), thrombocytopenia (28%), anemia (18%) and alopecia (18%). Four partial responses (10%) and 13 stabilizations (33%) were observed. Eight patients (20%) experienced clinical benefit. The median progression free and overall survivals were 7 and 10 months, respectively. Gemcitabine can be administered in selected elderly patients.
Locher
Christophe
C
Department of Gastro-enterology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France. c-locher@ch-meaux.fr
Fabre-Guillevin
Elizabeth
E
Brunetti
Francesco
F
Auroux
Jean
J
Delchier
Jean Charles
JC
Piedbois
Pascal
P
Zelek
Laurent
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine