18 June 2002
Salvage chemotherapy with the gemcitabine/docetaxel combination in non-small cell lung cancer: an overview of recent phase II studies.
Nicolas Tsavaris, Christos Kosmas, Haralambos P KalofonosMed Sci Monit 2002; 8(6): PI58-63 :: ID: 420797
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Docetaxel has been the only single agent with proven activityand documented survival benefit in the second-line treatment of advanced/refractory non-small cell lungcancer (NSCLC). Combinations of docetaxel with other active agents in this setting, such as gemcitabine,besides their popularity as front-line treatment, are currently being explored in an attempt to improvethe results over single-agent docetaxel in relapsed/refractory NSCLC.MATERIAL/METHODS: Given the establishedactivity of single-agent docetaxel in two recent large randomized phase III trials against best supportivecare or versus single-agent Vinorelbine or Ifosfamide in patients with platinum pretreated NSCLC, andthe proven activity of single-agent gemcitabine in this setting, combination regimens employing thesetwo agents in various doses and schedules have recently been initiated. Adequately designed phase IIstudies using standard criteria of efficacy and safety, with peer-review based publication, were selectedfrom the literature.RESULTS: The gemcitabine/docetaxel combination in various schedules with or withoutG-CSF support as salvage therapy of NSCLC pre-treated with platinum+paclitaxel-based regimens has beenevaluated in four recently published phase II clinical studies, and has been shown to represent a tolerableand active regimen in this setting, yielding a 10-33% response rate, improvement of disease-related symptoms,and meaningful median and 1-year survival figures in the range of 20-32%. Improvement of disease-relatedsymptoms has outweighed toxicity in all these studies.CONCLUSIONS: Randomized studies are warranted,comparing the gemcitabine/docetaxel combination to single-agent gemcitabine or docetaxel, drugs currentlyrecommended in the second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Keywords: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Clinical Trials, Phase II, Deoxycytidine, paclitaxel, Salvage Therapy, Taxoids
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
08 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Foot Structure in Preschool Children Based on Body MassMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943765
15 Apr 2024 : Laboratory Research
The Role of Copper-Induced M2 Macrophage Polarization in Protecting Cartilage Matrix in OsteoarthritisMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943738
07 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Clinical Trials: A Questionnaire-Based Study of 179 Male Third- and Fourt...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943468
08 Mar 2024 : Animal Research
Modification of Experimental Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in Rat Pups by Single Exposure to Hyp...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943443
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952