Cited 41 times since 2001 (1.8 per year) source: EuropePMC Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology, Volume 12, Issue 4, 1 1 2001, Pages 557-561 Single-agent gemcitabine in patients with resistant small-cell lung cancer. van der Lee I, Smit EF, van Putten JW, Groen HJ, Schlösser NJ, Postmus PE, Schramel FM
Objective
This study was conducted to assess the activity and toxicity ofgemcitabine in patients with resistant small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS TAND METHODS: Forty-one patients with limited- or extensive-stage SCLC, who were previously treated with at least one chemotherapeutic regimen and progressed during or within three months of finishing the last regimen, were treated with 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 of a four-week cycle.
Results
Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for response. Five partial and no complete responses were seen, for an overall response rate of 13% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6%-27%). Time to progression varied from 4 to 20 weeks, with a median of 8 weeks. Median survival was 17 weeks (range 4-84 weeks). Hematological toxicity mainly consisted of NCI-CTC grade 3 thrombocytopenia (29% of patients) and, to a lesser extent, grade 3 leukopenia (18% of patients). Non-hematological toxicity was mild, with nausea being the most commonly reported event.
Conclusions
Gemcitabine has modest activity in patients with resistant SCLC. There is some non-cross resistance to most agents against SCLC.
