title: Capecitabine plus gemcitabine in thymic epithelial tumors: final analysis of a Phase II trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A multi-institutional Phase II trial was initiated in 2005 to test the combination gemcitabine and capecitabine in patients with thymic epithelial malignancies (TETs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with histologic confirmation of TET diagnosis by central review who had received >1 systemic chemotherapy treatment were included. Patients received oral capecitabine (650 mg/mq twice daily on days 1-14) and intravenous gemcitabine (1000 mg/mq on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 patients included (18 men, 12 women; median age: 57 years, range: 48-61 years), the majority (73%) had thymoma, and the remaining thymic carcinoma. Eight patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia. A total of 12 patients had a response. Median progression-free survival was 11 months (range: 6.5-16.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capecitabine and gemcitabine is highly active in TETs.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center for Rare Tumors of Campania & Medical Oncology Division, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovannella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buonerba
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ottaviano
authors.forename: Piera
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Von Arx
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: De Maio
authors.forename: Mirella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lalle
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montella
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merola
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milella
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergaglio
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Lorenzo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Damiano
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019233:Retreatment; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine
keywords: capecitabine; gemcitabine; thymic epithelial tumors; thymomas