Weekly Gemcitabine/Vinorelbine Proves Effective in NSCLC

SAN FRANCISCO—A weekly regimen of gemcitabine (Gemzar) plus vinorelbine (Navelbine) appears to be equivalent to platinum-containing doublets in untreated or previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), M.D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers reported at the 37th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). George R. Blumenschein, Jr., MD, now with the Arlington Cancer Center, Arlington, Texas, presented the results at a poster session (abstract 1371).

The study included 42 patients with untreated NSCLC and 38 previously treated patients. Patients received vinorelbine 25 mg/m² and gemcitabine 900 mg/m² on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks. Originally, patients received doses of 30 mg/m² and 1,000 mg/m², respectively, but these doses were later reduced because of toxicity. "The major difficulty with the schedule was the need to withhold or reduce day-15 doses in some patients," Dr. Blumenschein said.

Among the 37 evaluable previously untreated patients, there were 15 partial responders (41%), 14 with stable disease (38%), and 8 with progressive disease (21%). Median survival was 44 weeks, 1-year survival 43%, and 2-year survival 31.6%. Grade 3-4 toxicities included granulocytopenia (2.5%, 2.5%), thrombocytopenia (2%, 0%), fatigue (5%, 0%), and dyspnea (5%, 0%).

Among the 36 evaluable previously treated patients, there were 6 partial responders (17%), 18 with stable disease (50%), and 12 with progression (33%). Median survival was 36 weeks, 1-year survival 29%, and 2-year survival 11.8%. Grade 3-4 toxicities included granulocytopenia (5%, 2.5%), thrombocytopenia (5%, 0%), and dyspnea (2.5%, 2.5%).