title: Gemcitabine-induced thrombocytosis as a potential predictive factor in non-small cell lung cancer: analysis of 318 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the progress in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the majority of patients with advanced disease still receive chemotherapy. Gemcitabine alone or combined with a platinum compound is a valid option. Thrombocytosis is a recognized prognostic factor in lung cancer and an adverse event that may occur during gemcitabine infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated all patients with NSCLC treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in two Italian hospitals. We assessed the onset of thrombocytosis within the third cycle of therapy and the relation between thrombocytosis and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 318 patients. Thrombocytosis occurred in 156 patients (49.1%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months (95% CI, 4.7-6.9 months) in patients who developed thrombocytosis versus 6 months (95% CI, 5.1-7.2 months) in patients without thrombocytosis (p = 0.21). Median overall survival (OS) was 11.2 months (95% CI, 9.8-13.4 months) in patients with thrombocytosis versus 12 months (95% CI, 10.1-14.4 months) in patients without thrombocytosis (p = 0.25). We observed no difference in terms of PFS or OS according to age, sex, stage, chemotherapy (single-agent versus combination chemotherapy) and thrombocytosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thrombocytosis is neither a prognostic nor a predictive factor for PFS or OS in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza - Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canova
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza - Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cicchiello
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Agustoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianchini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza - Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Ida
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza - Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bidoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza - Italy.
authors.forename: Diego Luigi
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cortinovis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine