PMID: 16634534Apr 26, 2006Paper

Gemcitabine combined with 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the pancreas

In Vivo
Constantine GennatasHellenic Group of Oncology

Abstract

Gemcitabine is an active agent in pancreatic cancer, showing clinical synergy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of gemcitabine and 5-FU in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Forty-two patients (median age, 62 years), with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, were enrolled in the study. The combination of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) and 5-FU (600 mg/m2) was administered on days 1, 8 and 15 and repeated every 28 days. A total of 168 cycles (median 4 cycles per patient) were administered. Partial responses were observed in 6 patients (14.2%) and stable disease in 11 (26.2%). The overall clinical benefit was 40.4%. Symptom relief and improvement of performance status were observed in 18 (42.8%) patients. The median time to progression, median duration of response and the median overall survival, were 6, 7 and 13 months, respectively. The most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities were neutropenia, anaemia and diarrhoea. The combination of gemcitabine and 5-FU is an active regimen for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with an acceptable toxicity profile.

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