A new option for metastatic breast cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hydrochloride) is proven to be active in a number of tumour types, including non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and bladder cancer. Now, Gemzar is approved for use, in combination with paclitaxel,for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer who have relapsed following adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (prior chemotherapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated). (Click below to read the full article: The role of gemcitabine in the management of women with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer)

Gemzar with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel monotherapy: greater efficacy and manageable toxicityA multicentre, international phase III study found that Gemzar in combination with paclitaxel produced significant efficacy advantages over paclitaxel alone. The Gemzar combination regimen (Gemzar 1250 mg/m2 d1, 8 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 d1 q21d) significantly improved time to progression (5.4 months vs 3.5 months, p is 0.0013)and overall response rate (39.3% vs 25.6%, p is 0.0007) compared with paclitaxel monotherapy (175 mg/md1 q21d). Haematological toxicities were more frequent in the combination arm but investigators reported that toxicities were manageable in both arms, and there were no significant differences between arms in pain scores or quality of life.The primary endpoint of median survival has not yet been reached and final data are expected in late 2004.The low incidence of symptomatic toxicities such as alopecia, nausea and vomiting with Gemzar monotherapy make it a rational addition totaxane-based regimens.