ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess toxicity and response in the sequential administration of gemcitabine followed by cisplatin in unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients were enrolled in this study. Gemcitabine was given at 1250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, for four 21-day cycles, followed by cisplatin 40 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15, for three further 28-day cycles. Results: There were 4 patients with partial responses, 5 patients with stable disease and 10 patients with progressive disease, giving a response rate of 21%. The median time to disease progression was 3.3 months. The median overall survival was 14.6 months. Toxicities graded 3 or 4 included anaemia (13.0%), neutropaenia (13.0%), supraventricular tachycardia (4.3%), and nausea and vomiting (4.3%). Conclusion: Although these results show similar efficacy to single-agent treatment regimens, the low toxicity profile and promising survival outcome with this regimen are important points for consideration.Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It ranks first among males and third among females in the incidence of cancers in Singapore.
This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.
