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At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Does induction chemotherapy with a mitoxantrone/vinorelbine regimen allow a breast-conservative treatment in patients with operable locoregional breast cancer? A French Northern Oncology Group trial in 105 patients. French Northern Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, induction chemotherapy has been tested by several investigators in the management of operable breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our current study was aimed to evaluate, pragmatically, in patients (74 stage II and 30 stage III) whose treatment would have been mastectomy, the percentage of them in whom a conservative treatment can be performed if primarily treated with a mitoxantrone/vinorelbine regimen. RESULTS: 67/104 patients (64%; 95% CI: 55-74%) had a conservative treatment (lumpectomy: 54, radiation therapy: 12, radiation therapy then lumpectomy: 1) Neutropenia was the major dose-limiting side effect, with grade 3 or 4 neutropenia registered in 83% of patients and 53.3% of the 442 cycles. Overall, a grade 3 or 4 non hematologic side effect occurred in 19.8% of patients and in 9.1% of cycles. One toxic death was observed after 2 cycles in a patient with aplasia who developped septicemia. Seventy one per cent of the patients experienced nausea and vomiting but grade 3 were observed in only 12% of the patients. Other side effects, including stomatitis, asthenia, alopecia, and constipation, were generally mild and uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: This mitoxantrone/vinorelbine regimen is an efficient induction treatment with only neutropenia as a noticeable side effect. It allows 64% of conservative treatment in patients whose treatment would have been mastectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Slow replenishment of carnitine deficiency after cessation of long-term treatment with pivaloyl-containing antibiotics.

Long-term treatment with pivampicillin and pivmecillinam for 6-24 months in five adults and one child reduced the total serum carnitine concentration to 3.7-14 mumol/l (reference value: 25-66 mumol/l). Muscle carnitine was reduced to 0.3-0.7 mumol/g wet weight (reference value: 3-5 mumol/g) in two cases. All patients had muscle symptoms with weakness, asthenia and pains. One showed signs of carnitine depletion in the liver with increased secretion of dicarboxylic acids (C6, C8, C10) in urine and limited ketone body formation during prolonged fasting. Serum carnitine increased slowly after cessation of therapy and reached normal concentrations after 6-12 months. All symptoms caused by carnitine depletion disappeared. This was achieved on a normal diet without carnitine supplementation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenalectomy in primary aldosteronism: a long-term follow-up study in 52 patients.

From 1975 to 1989, 52 patients with primary aldosteronism underwent adrenalectomy. There were 16 men and 36 women. The average age was 42.5 years, ranging from 28 years to 70 years. They were all hypertensive, with average pre-operative diastolic pressures varying from 105 to 140 mm Hg (median 117 mm Hg). The subjective symptoms most frequently reported were headache (71%) and asthenia (53%). In all patients except two, serum potassium concentration was 3.3 mEq/L (median 2.7 mEq/L) at the time of diagnosis. Plasma aldosterone concentration was elevated in all patients, 48 +/- 5.3 ng/mL in the recumbent position and 52.6 +/- 6.0 ng/mL in the upright position. The operations carried out were 50 unilateral and 2 bilateral adrenalectomies. In 4 patients a transperitoneal approach was employed and in the remaining 48 patients an extraperitoneal flank incision was used. The histological findings were 47 adenomas (with dimension ranging from 1 to 4.5 cm), unilateral macronodular hyperplasia in 2 patients, an adenoma plus controlateral hyperplasia in 1 patient, bilateral hyperplasia in 1 patient, and unilateral hyperplasia in 1 patient. After long-term follow-up (median 77 months, range 13 to 189 months), 15 patients remained hypertensive (diastolic blood pressure up to 100 mm Hg). In 9 of these patients the hypertensive illness had been present for more than 5 years prior to operation. In the remaining 37 (71%) patients, the arterial pressure returned to normal and in almost half of the patients this result was evident one or two days after operation.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1994

Acute hepatitis induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, lovastatin.

The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, lovastatin, is known to induce asymptomatic liver dysfunction in a few patients. We report the case of an adult who suffered from clinical hepatitis three months after the onset of lovastatin administration. Manifestations included asthenia, jaundice, and increased aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Histologic examination showed centrilobular necrosis, centrilobular cholestasis, and infiltrates with mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells, including eosinophils. Withdrawal of lovastatin was followed by complete normalization of liver tests within two months.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Weekly schedule of docetaxel in breast cancer: evaluation of response and toxicity.

Several recent studies have investigated the administration of docetaxel on a weekly basis. Here, we review the weekly use of docetaxel in breast cancer. To identify articles published on this topic we performed a computer-assisted MEDLINE search; additional references were found in the bibliographies of these articles. Several phase Tstudies of weekly docetaxel have provided encouraging data indicating that there is generally less myelosuppression than with the three week schedule in patients with a variety of advanced malignancies. Dose-limiting toxicities are reached at 43 to 50 mg/m(2), and the recommended dose ranges from 36 to 42 mg/m(2). Furthermore, five studies of weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer achieved 32 to 41% response rates using 25 to 40 mg/m(2) of docetaxel. Myelosuppression was mild, but fatigue was common and was the most common reason for dose reduction. In general, the planned dose intensity was equivalent to those used in standard three week schedules, and fatigue, asthenia, nail changes, excessive lacrimation (tearing), and fluid retention became more common with prolonged administration of docetaxel. Thus, weekly scheduling of docetaxel maintains efficacy and alters the toxicity profile, and the use of weekly docetaxel will become a promising alternative to three week dosing in the treatment of advanced breast cancer once randomized controlled studies confirm these results. However, there is still much to learn about the role of weekly docetaxel in adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1992

Short communication: possible activity of beta-carotene in patients with the AIDS related complex. A pilot study.

In a pilot single blind study, beta-carotene (BC) supplementation produced, in ARC patients under current treatment, apparent recovery from asthenia, fever, nocturnal sweating, diarrhoea, loss in weight, and led as a result to an improvement in general health and working efficiency, but not to an improvement in multiple district lympho-adenopathies. Nevertheless, BC appeared to prevent progress to AIDS and, in addition, to lower the effective dosage of AZT used in one case of ARC developed into AIDS, producing a recovery from opportunistic infections and an inhibition of Kaposi sarcoma diffusion, in line with a two-fold rise in CD4 counts.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adrenal bilateral incidentaloma by reactivated histoplasmosis.

We report a case of bilateral adrenal incidentaloma caused by the capsulatum variety of Histoplasma capsulatum diagnosed in a 74 years old man born in and a life time resident of Treviso, Italy, with the exception of two years spent in Pakistan (1964-1966) as a well-driller. The patient was hospitalized in 1995 for alcoholic chronic hepatitis, chronic Helicobacter pylori gastritis and post-infarction ischemic cardiomyopathy. Abdominal ultrasound incidentally showed bilateral adrenal masses (the right one 6.3 cm in diameter) confirmed by computed tomography, with adrenal function within normal limits. After three months, the patient was again hospitalized due to evening fever, asthenia, anorexia, weight loss and occasional hyperhidrosis. Abdominal ultrasound showed an increase of the right adrenal lesion with normal adrenal function. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration did not prove useful for diagnosis. Accordingly, a laparotomy with bilateral biopsy was performed; histology showed the presence of numerous tissue form cells of H. capsulatum variety capsulatum. Serum anti-H. capsulatum antibodies were negative. Since March, 1996, the patient was given itraconazole and his symptoms quickly regressed but the computed tomography findings, however, have not changed and the patient has adrenal hypofunction that is being treated with cortisone acetate.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of two low-calorie diets: a prospective study of effectiveness and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and safety of two distinct low calorie diets (LCD). DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. METHODS: 67 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) 40 kg/m2] were included in two study groups. Group A: 26 patients followed a 458 kcal diet given in three meals for 1 month. Group B: 41 patients followed a 800 kcal diet for 3 months and with outpatient control. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric, cardiovascular risk and nutritional profile changes were evaluated, as well as total direct and indirect costs, and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: No significant initial differences were observed between the two study groups. Eighty-six point two per cent of the patients completed the therapy correctly. After treatment a significant decrease was observed in the following variables for both groups, but no differences were detected between Groups A and B: mean weight loss (A= 9.28 kg, B= 8.7 kg), ponderal loss percentage (A/B= 7.2/6.8%), glycemia (A/B= 18.6/12.1 mg/dl), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (A/B= 11.8/6.5 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (A/B 5.9/6.8 mmHg), and final insulin-resistance (IR) index (A= 4.4, B= 4.3). Group A had the highest drop in total cholesterol (37.7 vs 8.1 mg/dl) and triglycerides (54.4 vs 2.5 mg/dl). No changes were observed in ureic acid, renal function and serum albumin. Thirty-six patients (55.3%) suffered trivial complications associated to the VLCD (16.9% gastrointestinal, 20% anxiety), with no differences between groups. Group A patients were on sick leave due to asthenia, and two patients in this group had serious complications (transient ischemic attack and atrial fibrillation). The total cost of Group A treatment was 3018.9 against 582.6 euros for Group B. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-month 800 kcal/day VLCD was more cost-effective and safer than the 1-month 458 kcal/day diet.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Bilateral adrenal non-Hodgkin lymphoma type B.

The adrenal localization of a primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is rare. We report a case of a 66-yr-old woman who had severe asthenia, diffuse skin hitching and abdominal pain. The physical examination revealed poor general conditions, irritability, pallor, dehydration and diffuse skin scratching lesions. The abdomen was painful at left hypochondrium and the Giordano's maneuvre was positive on both sides. A peripheral blood smear showed the presence of big rare lymphocytes with dyshomogeneous chromatin and granulated and hyperbasophil cytoplasm. She underwent abdominal ultrasonography which showed the presence of a hypoechogenic ovoidal mass (major diameter 8.4 cm) within the splenorenal left region. The presence of the suprarenal mass was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan which showed an enlarged left adrenal gland (8.1 x 6.2 cm) of solid structure. The right adrenal gland was also enlarged and of round shape (4.5 cm). CT scan-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy was then carried out on the left adrenal mass. It revealed the presence of NHL type B with large cells and modest T-lymphocyte reactive component. The patient was treated with three cycles of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisolone. At the end of the third cycle, there was a transient clinical improvement and the hitching disappeared, but the patient worsened rapidly and she died few weeks later.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1997

Isolated corticotroph insufficiency associated to myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular junction autoimmune disease, may be associated to glandular autoimmune diseases such as adrenalitis. We report here the association of myasthenia gravis with a rare cause of adrenocortical deficiency, i.e. isolated corticotroph deficiency. The patient suffered from myasthenia gravis for 5 yr when she reported increased asthenia. Basal cortisol and ACTH levels were low. Metyrapone failed to increase ACTH and 11-desoxycortisol. Corticotropin-releasing hormone or tetracosactide failed to increase normally the cortisol levels. No other endocrine dysfunction or autoimmune disease could be detected. This observation enlarges the spectrum of endocrine diseases associated to myasthenia gravis and strengthens the need for careful endocrine examination.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1988

Tolerance of the oral clonidine test in 75 pediatric patients.

We evaluated the tolerance and effectiveness of the oral clonidine test for GH in 75 children, 84% with hyposomia and 16% with other diseases. The test was well tolerated, since 97% of the examined children had no side effects with the exception of occasional drowsiness, pallor and myosis of short duration. Two of the children at the end of the test, had more severe symptoms 30 min after (deep asthenia, pallor and a further small blood pressure drop) which however, resolved after 4-6 h. No correlation was observed between the clinical picture and the drops in blood pressure and/or plasma cortisol in the children examined. We confirm the effectiveness of the clonidine test in the release of GH since in our study we observed no negative false subnormal responses.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

Efficacy and tolerability of acetazolamide in migraine prophylaxis: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Familial hemiplegic migraine and episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) are allelic disorders with distinct types of mutations in the CACNA1A gene. EA2 attacks are remarkably sensitive to acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. The effectiveness of acetazolamide in migraine prophylaxis is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of acetazolamide in migraine prophylaxis. METHODS: We compared daily oral 500 mg acetazolamide and placebo in patients with migraine in a multicentre, double-blind, randomised trial of 12 weeks duration after a run-in period of 4 weeks without treatment. Frequency of attacks at the last trial period of 4 weeks was the primary efficacy criterion. Secondary efficacy criteria were the frequency of attacks per 4 weeks, the severity and duration of attacks, the number of hours with migraine as well as the number of responders with more than 50% reduction in attack frequency. RESULTS: 53 patients had been enrolled when the study was prematurely stopped because of a high number of withdrawals (34%), primarily linked to acetazolamide related side effects. Considering the primary and secondary efficacy criteria, among the 53 included patients (27 in the placebo group and 26 in the acetazolamide group), no difference between the 2 study groups could be demonstrated. The most frequent adverse events related to acetazolamide were paresthesias and asthenia. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, migraine sufferers poorly tolerated acetazolamide given in an oral dose of 500 mg daily. No obvious prophylactic beneficial effect of acetazolamide appeared on migraine attacks.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed2001

Dose-finding phase I study of simultaneous weekly infusion with doxorubicin and docetaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy with doxorubicin (DOX) and docetaxel (DOC), given 3 weeks apart, is one of the standard regimens used for treating metastatic breast cancer, but it frequently generates febrile neutropenia. To find a safer regimen with less myelotoxicity and the appropriate dose intensity, we conducted a phase I study of simultaneous weekly infusion with DOX and DOC. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with an intravenous push-injection of DOX that was immediately followed by a 1-h infusion of DOC. This was repeated every week for at least 6 weeks. The premedication employed was three 4-mg doses of dexamethasone every week. Patients were divided into four groups for which the doses of DOX and DOC were escalated in 5-mg/m2 increments. RESULTS: In the 18 patients who were treated with DOX 15 or 20 mg/m2 and DOC 25 mg/m2, or lower, the regimen was found to be tolerable, without febrile episodes. The regimen with 20 mg/m2 of DOX and 30 mg/m2 of DOC was the maximum tolerated dose. Other indications of grade 3 toxicity included asthenia in 4% of patients, anorexia in 8%, and vomiting in 8%. Of the 25 patients, 14 had a partial response. The overall response rate was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35% to 77%). The recommended dose for further trial was 20 mg/m2 of DOX and 25 mg/m2 of DOC. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous weekly infusion with DOX and DOC was feasible, with modest neutropenia and preserved dose intensity. This regimen may be helpful in the management of patients with advanced breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A phase 2 study of the cytotoxic immunoconjugate CMB-401 (hCTM01-calicheamicin) in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

The compound CMB-401 is an immunoconjugate consisting of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) hCTM01 directed against polymorphic epithelial mucin covalently bound to the cytotoxic antibiotic calicheamicin by an amide linker. We evaluated CMB-401 as monotherapy for the treatment of recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Twenty-one 21 women aged 38 to 80 years with recurrent EOC (recurrence >6 months after initial platinum-containing chemotherapy) were enrolled. Tumor response and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels were assessed before and after active treatment. After an initial intravenous (i.v.) dose of hCTM01 (without calicheamicin), the calicheamicin-linked CMB-401 (16 mg/m(2 ) i.v.) was administered over 60 min for up to 7 cycles, with 4 weeks between cycles. Nineteen patients were evaluable. Measurable changes observed following administration of CMB-401 did not meet the criteria for partial remission (PR). CMB-401 was not effective as monotherapy for this type of EOC. Adverse events experienced by patients in the study included nausea (95%), asthenia (90%), abdominal pain (62%), headache (57%), anorexia (57%), and diarrhea (57%), mostly at a toxicity grade level of 1 or 2. Based on published efficacy of conjugates that deliver calicheamicin via hybrid (bifunctional) linkers [e.g. gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) in acute myeloid leukemia], we hypothesize that the amide linker used in CMB-401 may have contributed to its failure to induce PR in patients in this study. Use of hybrid linkers to target hCTM01 or other antibodies to EOC may warrant further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) using a single intravenous dose schedule.

PURPOSE: To perform a phase I and pharmacokinetics study of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) a new ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor using a single intravenous (2-h) schedule every 4 weeks. 3-AP was given at a starting dose of 5 mg/m(2) with escalation based on a modified Fibonacci scheme. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients with advanced cancer were entered into the study. Doses of 3-AP ranged from 5 mg/m(2) to 105 mg/m(2). Blood and urine samples were collected and 3-AP was measured by HPLC. RESULTS: A total of 46 courses were evaluable. One patient developed grade 4 thrombocytopenia at the lowest dose level, and one patient had grade 3 anemia. Two patients developed grade 3 coagulation abnormalities. The only other toxicities of more than grade l occurring in more than 10% of patients were fever and asthenia. No toxicities were observed at the highest dose level. Peak serum concentration of 3-AP increased linearly with dose. No tumor responses were observed in this heavily pretreated population, although eight patients had stabilization of their disease. CONCLUSIONS: Relevant tumor inhibitory concentrations were achieved without significant toxicity using doses up to 105 mg/m(2) on this single intravenous dose schedule. Prolonged administration schedules and combinations with other cytotoxic agents, strategies predicted to have greater antitumor efficacy according to preclinical studies, are under investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Two different schedules of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma relapsing after a 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin combination. A randomized study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan as second-line treatment in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) failing or relapsing after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) standard chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Irinotecan was randomly administered in two different schedules (once every 3 weeks, and every 10 days) in patients failing prior 5-FU plus LV. Patients were randomized to two treatment groups: group A received irinotecan 350 mg/m2 every 21 days and group B received irinotecan 175 mg/m2 days 1 and 10 every 21 days. RESULTS: Group A comprised 60 patients: 34 male/26 female, median age 64 years (range 48-70 years), and median Karnofsky performance status (PS) 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=47), lymph nodes (n=27), lung (n=14), abdomen (n=14), pelvis (n=8), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=12). Group B comprised 60 patients: 36 male/24 female, median age 62 years (46-70 years), and median PS 90. Their metastatic sites included liver (n=49), lymph nodes (n=29), lung (n=17), abdomen (n=16), pelvis (n=11), "other" (n=2), and local recurrence (n=13). Group A showed the following responses: complete response (CR) 2, partial response (PR) 12, stable disease (SD) 21, progressive disease (PD) 26, overall response rate (ORR) 23%, tumor growth control 58%. Group B showed the following responses: CR 1, PR 14, SD 22, PD 23; ORR 25%; tumor growth control 62%. Toxicities included acute cholinergic syndrome (group A 53%, group B 19%; P<0.0001), late-onset diarrhea grade 1/2 (group A 21%, group B 46%) and grade 3/4 (group A 41%, group B 66%; P<0.0001), nausea and vomiting grade 1/2 (group A 34%, group B 59%) and grade 3/4 (group A 30%, group B 12%; P<0.0001), neutropenia grade 3/4 (group A 27%, group B 28%; P<0.03), with febrile neutropenia seen in only four patients in group A, anemia grade more than 2 (group A 28%, group B 12%; P<0.05), asthenia grade more than 3 (group A 24%, group B 18%; P<0.001), and alopecia grade more than 3 (group A 40%, group B 34%; P<0.2). CONCLUSIONS: . The present study indicates that, in patients with ACC who have relapsed after 5-FU plus LV, the administration of irinotecan fractionated into two doses every 21 days yields a similar efficacy to, but a much lower incidence of toxicity than, the same total dose of irinotecan administered once every 21 days.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Docetaxel plus epirubicin is a highly active, well-tolerated, first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: results of a large, multicentre phase II study.

PURPOSE: In this multicentre phase II study, the efficacy and safety profile of the combination of docetaxel and epirubicin as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were evaluated. METHODS: Epirubicin (75 mg/m(2)) and docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) were given intravenously once every 3 weeks for six cycles to 133 patients with MBC. RESULTS: The overall clinical response rate was 67% (complete and partial responses were 23% and 44%, respectively). The median time to progression was 10.8 months (95% CI 9.7-12.6) and the median overall survival was 19.5 months. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support was administered to 32% of patients and in 22% of cycles. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 35% of patients and febrile neutropenia in 19%. The most frequent grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicities (as percent of patients) were asthenia (6%), vomiting (5%) and nausea (5%). No patients developed congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of docetaxel and epirubicin was highly active as first-line treatment for MBC and showed a manageable toxicity profile.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Phase II study of a fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with docetaxel in advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity profile of the combination of docetaxel and prolonged gemcitabine infusion in front-line chemonaive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 chemonaive patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC according to the AJCC/TNM classification system were included in the present study. Treatment consisted of 1000 mg/m(2) gemcitabine given as a 100-min continuous infusion (10 mg/m(2) per min) on days 1 and 8 of each course and 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel as a 60-min infusion on day 8, repeating each course every 21 days. RESULTS: The ECOG performance status of the patients were as follows: 0 (10%), 1 (60%), and 2 (30%). All patients had two-dimensionally measurable disease. Their median age was 63 years (range 41-75 years). Of the 50 patients, 28 (56%) had squamous cell carcinoma, 14 adenocarcinoma (28%), and 8 (16%) large-cell carcinoma, and 40% and 60% of patients presented with stage IIIB and IV disease, respectively. Of those with stage IV disease, 33% had more than one metastatic site. A total of 220 courses were administered with a median of five courses per patient. Of 46 patients assessed for response, 12 (26%) had a partial remission (95% CI 13-39%). In 19 patients (41%) the disease remained stable, while disease progression was observed in 15 (33%). The median time to disease progression was 4 months, and median survival time was 7 months. At 1 year, 25% of patients remained alive, and the main grade 3/4 toxicity (according to the WHO scale) consisted of neutropenia ( n=6, 12%), asthenia ( n=4, 8%), peripheral edema ( n=3, 6%), dyspnea ( n=3, 6%), and diarrhea ( n=2, 4%). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged gemcitabine infusion combined with docetaxel is well tolerated and its efficacy is similar to that of other chemotherapeutic schemes used for NSCLC treatment. However, the prolonged infusion of gemcitabine did not appear to result in any improvement in outcome or toxicity versus the standard dose rate.

Adult↗