Efficacy of gemcitabine combined with erlotinib in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
- Author:
Yue-Juan CHENG
1
;
Chun-Mei BAI
;
Zai-Jun ZHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; adverse effects; therapeutic use; Deoxycytidine; administration & dosage; analogs & derivatives; Erlotinib Hydrochloride; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms; drug therapy; Quinazolines; administration & dosage; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
- From: Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2010;32(4):421-423
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy,clinical benefits and toxicities of gemcitabine combined with erlotinib for advanced pancreatic cancer.
METHODClinical data of 20 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 (repeated every 21 days) plus erlotinib 100-150 mg/d at Peking Union Medical College Hospital was reviewed retrospectively.
RESULTSNo patient achieved complete remission or partial remission, 11 patients (55%) had stable disease, and 9 patients (45%) experienced disease progression. The disease control rate was 55%, and clinical benefit rate was 30%. The median progression free survival was 4.0 months, and the median overall survival was 8 months. The total incidence of hematologic toxicity was 70%, including 15% of grade 3-4 leucopenia and 5% of grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Eleven patients (55%) had rash, which were all grade 1-2. One patient had grade 2 diarrhea and five had grade 1 transaminase elevation. No chemotherapy-related death occurred.
CONCLUSIONSGemcitabine combined with erlotinib is an effective regimen for pancreatic cancer with good clinical tolerance. The most common adverse events are hematologic toxicities and rash.
