Gemcitabine as a radiosensitiser for brain metastases treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Maraveyas A, Sgouros J, Upadhyay S, Abdel-Hamid A-H, Holmes M, Lind M
Primary Institution: Department of Academic Oncology and University of Hull
Hypothesis
The study aims to determine the maximum tolerated dose of gemcitabine given concurrently with whole-brain radiotherapy for patients with brain metastases from carcinoma.
Conclusion
The maximum tolerated dose of gemcitabine was found to be 62.5 mg/m², with a recommended dose of 50 mg/m² for further studies.
Supporting Evidence
- 74% of patients had a performance status of 1.
- 92% of patients had concurrent extracranial disease.
- At the dose of 50 mg/m², no dose limiting toxicity was observed.
Takeaway
Doctors are testing a medicine called gemcitabine to see how much they can safely give to help treat brain cancer while also using radiation.
Methodology
Patients with brain metastases from carcinoma received gemcitabine twice weekly alongside whole-brain radiotherapy, with dose escalation to determine the maximum tolerated dose.
Limitations
The study was limited by its small sample size and the lack of a control group.
Participant Demographics
{"age":{"median":57,"range":"41-76"},"gender":{"male":15,"female":10},"performance_status":{"0":6,"1":18,"2":1},"type_of_cancer":{"NSCLC":12,"colorectal":6,"breast":4,"other":3},"number_of_brain_metastases":{"1":6,"2_or_3":13,"4_or_more":6},"extracranial_disease":{"yes":23,"no":2},"previous_chemotherapy":{"yes":12,"no":13}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website