| Home | E-Submission | Sitemap | Contact Us |  
top_img
Cancer Research and Treatment > Volume 35(4); 2003 > Article
Cancer Research and Treatment 2003;35(4): 294-298. doi: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2003.35.4.294
Phase II Study of Gemcitabine and Vinorelbine as Second-Line Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Yoon Jae Kim, Joo Hyuk Sohn, Chul Kim, Yong Tai Kim, Hai Jin Kim, Joong Bae Ahn, Se Kyu Kim, Joon Chang, Nae Choon Yoo, Joo Hang Kim, Jae Yong Cho
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Collegeof Medicine, Korea.
2Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine,Korea.
3National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospital,Korea.
4Young Dong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College ofMedicine, Seoul, Korea. chojy@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
  Published online: August 31, 2003.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
With the increased use of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a growing group of patients can now be considered for second-line chemotherapy. However, guidelines for the second line treatment remain to be developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the gemcitabine and vinorelbine combination therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC, pretreated with taxane and platinum based regimens. Gemcitabine has already demonstrated activity in this patient group, with the combination therapy having been reported to be well tolerated in previous phase I/II studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Forty two patients with advanced NSCLC (stages III/IV), having received prior taxane and platinum based chemotherapy, with an ECOG performance status (PS) 0~2, and unimpaired hematopoietic and organ function, were treated with vinorelbine, 20 mg/m2, followed by gemcitabine, 1, 000 mg/m2, both administered on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks.
RESULTS:
Out of the 42 patients enrolled, 41 were evaluable for their response, and all 42 for their toxicity. The patient's characteristics were as follows; median age=60 years (42~73), median PS=1 (range 0~2), a gender ratio 31: 11 males/females, with stages IIIA, IIIB and IV in 3, 14 and 25 cases. The objective responses included a partial response (PR) 8/41 (19.5%), a stable disease 15/41 (36.6%) and a progressive disease 18/41 (43.9%). The median time-to progression (TTP) and survival were 4 months, ranging from 2 to 14 months, and 8 months, ranging from 2 to 17+ months, respectively. Grade 3 neutropenia was seen in 19% of the patient, and there was no grade 4 neutropenia or episodes of febrile neutropenia. No grade 4 thrombocytopenia or other grade 3/4 non-hematological toxicities were observed.
CONCLUSION:
The combination of gemcitabine/vinorelbine is active and well tolerated in patients with advanced NSCLC having failed prior taxane/platinum therapy.
Key words: Non-small cell lung cancer;Second line chemotherapy;Gemcitabine;Vinorelbine
Editorial Office
Korean Cancer Association
Room 1824, Gwanghwamun Officia
92 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03186, Korea
TEL: +82-2-3276-2410   FAX: +82-2-792-1410   E-mail: journal@cancer.or.kr
About |  Browse Articles |  Current Issue |  For Authors and Reviewers
Copyright © Korean Cancer Association.                 Developed in M2PI