title: Fixed-dose rate infusion of gemcitabine and weekly cisplatin in elderly or poor performance status patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a 4-week schedule of a fixed dose rate infusion of gemcitabine and weekly cisplatin in elderly or poor performance status patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 48 patients with previously untreated NSCLC were given combination chemotherapy that consisted of gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) (10 mg/m(2)/min fixed dose rate infusion) and cisplatin 25 mg/m(2), and both drugs were given weekly on days 1, 8 and 15.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A partial response and stable disease were observed in 20 patients (41.7%, 95% CI; 27.8-55.6%) and 12 patients (25.0%), respectively. The overall median survival was 10.30 months (range: 7.85-12.74 months). Major toxicities included neutropenia (grade 3 to 4, 29.2%) and infection (grade 3 to 4, 27.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that this regimen is a feasible treatment for elderly or poor performance status patients with unresectable NSCLC. Nevertheless, the morbidity due to myelosuppression and infection following this treatment should be carefully considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gyeong-Won
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Myung-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hoon-Gu
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Seok Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yu Ji
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Yi Yeong
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Ho-Cheol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Duk
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Sil
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Hye Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine