[Efficacy of gemcitabine combined with erlotinib in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy,clinical benefits and toxicities of gemcitabine combined with erlotinib for advanced pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
Clinical data of 20 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 (repeated every 21 days) plus erlotinib 100-150 mg/d at Peking Union Medical College Hospital was reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
No patient achieved complete remission or partial remission, 11 patients (55%) had stable disease, and 9 patients (45%) experienced disease progression. The disease control rate was 55%, and clinical benefit rate was 30%. The median progression free survival was 4.0 months, and the median overall survival was 8 months. The total incidence of hematologic toxicity was 70%, including 15% of grade 3-4 leucopenia and 5% of grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Eleven patients (55%) had rash, which were all grade 1-2. One patient had grade 2 diarrhea and five had grade 1 transaminase elevation. No chemotherapy-related death occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Gemcitabine combined with erlotinib is an effective regimen for pancreatic cancer with good clinical tolerance. The most common adverse events are hematologic toxicities and rash.
Cheng
Yue-Juan
YJ
Department of Medical Oncology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Bai
Chun-Mei
CM
Zhang
Zai-Jun
ZJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D011799:Quinazolines; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000093542:Gemcitabine