Gemcitabine and cisplatin in a multimodality treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer
2002

Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Lung Cancer Treatment

Sample size: 52 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yang C H, Tsai C M, Wang L S, Lee Y C, Chang C J, Lui L T, Yen S H, Hsu C, Cheng A L, Liu M Y, Chiang S C, Chen Y M, Luh K T, Huang M H, Yang P-C, Perng R-P

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University Hospital

Hypothesis

The study tests the feasibility of using gemcitabine and cisplatin as induction treatment for stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Conclusion

Three cycles of gemcitabine and cisplatin are effective as induction treatment before surgery for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • Two patients had complete response and 31 patients had partial response after induction chemotherapy.
  • Thirty-six patients (69%) were operable after treatment.
  • Eighteen patients (35%) had their tumours completely resected.

Takeaway

Doctors used two medicines, gemcitabine and cisplatin, to help patients with a type of lung cancer before surgery, and it worked well for many of them.

Methodology

Patients received three cycles of gemcitabine and cisplatin before evaluation for operability, followed by surgery or chemoradiotherapy.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and included only specific patient demographics.

Participant Demographics

Most patients were men with squamous cell carcinoma; 90% had N2 or N3 disease.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% confidence interval 50.4–76.6% for response rate.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj/bjc/6600044

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