Phase II study on gemcitabine in recurrent and/or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (EORTC 24982).
BACKGROUND
This phase II study was conducted to determine the antitumour activity of gemcitabine in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC).


METHODS
Patients with progressive and/or symptomatic, recurrent and/or metastatic ACC were treated with gemcitabine 1250 mg/m(2) intravenous (i.v.) on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Each cycle was repeated every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression for a minimum of four cycles and a maximum of 12 cycles.


RESULTS
Among 21 ACC patients, there were no objective responses. Eleven patients had a stable disease, of which ten patients for more than 6 months, and eight had a progressive disease after 4 cycles. Gemcitabine was well tolerated by most patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that gemcitabine is not an active drug in ACC.
van Herpen
C M L
CM
Department of Medical Oncology (452), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. C.vanHerpen@onco.umcn.nl
Locati
L D
LD
Buter
J
J
Thomas
J
J
Bogaerts
J
J
Lacombe
D
D
de Mulder
P
P
Awada
A
A
Licitra
L
L
Bernier
J
J
Vermorken
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine